Posted on 10/06/2007 1:45:11 PM PDT by Red Steel
CLEVELAND -- The Yankees are in the playoffs thanks in large part to a lineup that led the major leagues by batting .290 and scoring 5.98 runs per game during the regular season, but their bats are killing them in the division series against the Indians and it could lead to lineup changes for Game 3.
The Yankees, who scored 968 runs this season - the most in the majors since 2000 - have just four in two playoff games and are batting a laughable .121 (8-for-66) after getting only three hits in last night's 11-inning loss.
Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui, three of the most productive Yankees from April through September, are a combined 0-for-20. Add Derek Jeter in and the quartet is a paltry 1-for-28 (.036). Bobby Abreu is the only Yankee with more than one hit and he has just two. Heck, only seven Yankees have a hit in the series.
"We haven't been able to break through," Joe Torre said. "We're pretty proud of our offense, but right now we're looking to score some runs, get some hits. Three hits, that's not a great threat."
When asked if he would think about using Jason Giambi, who was 8-for-16 with four homers against the Indians during the regular season, Torre said, "We're going to look at it. I haven't thought about the future right now. We'll work out (today at the Stadium), we'll try to get our thoughts organized."
They'd better do it in a hurry. The Yankees have a .216 on-base percentage and are just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, including 0-for-3 last night. The three hits they had last night (including Abreu's infield single) marked the Yanks' worst output in a postseason game since Randy Johnson limited them to three hits in Game 2 of the 2001 World Series. Melky Cabrera's first postseason homer accounted for the only run.
The Yankees were pleased with their approach to C.C. Sabathia in Game 1 - they worked the count and forced the lefty into six walks (one intentional). But none of those runners scored and their patient strategy didn't work against Fausto Carmona, who kept getting ahead in the count as the Yanks looked at pitches early in their at-bats.
"We didn't swing enough," said Johnny Damon, who hasn't had a hit since he led off the series with a home run. "Carmona was good, but we felt like we should have at least done a bit more. ... We definitely have to do better."
Other Yankees praised Carmona, who allowed one run in nine innings, but disappointment was the dominant clubhouse theme, with good reason. "We don't have too many hits to our name," Damon said.
"That's not going to help us."
The Hillary Curse continues.
A-Rod wants $30 million per year for his next contract.
"Go Yankees! Whoo-hoo!"
As a lifelong Yankees fan and NY'er, I might have to (grudgingly) agree to that ... Hillary declares herself as a Yankee fan, but we don't really believe it. She has never been seen at Yankee Stadium, EVER! However, the 2001 WS was a disaster (in more ways than one), as well as the 2003 WS ... as well as the 2002 and 2005/6 playoffs ... and don't get me started on the 2004 catastrophe !!! /LOL
however, upon that note:
GO YANKEES !
Too bad! So sad! It must of been because the bugs in the face they had! Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!
But in all seriousness, as a long time Yankee-despiser, don’t count them out until the last out. Ask Oakland.
There’s no crying in baseball(except in New York). Go TRIBE!
Suck rocks, Bankees!
Damon can swing all he wants at Carmona’s pitches. They’ll still be strikes.
Carmona didn’t outpitch Pettite.
Maybe if they spend __$300 million__ next year... :)
Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports points out: “Contracts are running out all over the place; Joe Torre’s, Mariano Rivera’s, Jorge Posada’s, Clemens’. In the 2008-is-optional category: Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Bobby Abreu.”
also: just read Yanks could start Wang on short rest
for game 4 if they manage to avoid getting swept in Gm 3.
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