Yanks/Sox Game 3: My Head Wasn’t In It
Why wasn’t I more engaged during tonight’s 4-1 loss to the Red Sox? What made me sit quietly instead of yell at the TV? How come I was even tempted to change the channel?
Maybe it was because I was concerned about my car, which I’d stupidly driven into a curb, busting the right front wheel well and necessitating a call to Roadside Assistance.
Or maybe it was because Girardi put Berroa at third again instead of the more defensively capable Pena, so I was not surprised when Angel made those two errors.
I suppose my detachment could have been due to the fact that Robinson Cano was the only Yankees batter with a pulse.
Or that, while Ellsbury’s stealing home must have been a genuine thrill for Red Sox fans, it left me cold.
I certainly wasn’t amused that Pettitte, despite the walks, pitched another decent game with nothing to show for it except this.
And while Mike Lowell was an RBI machine, he looked gimpy at third and made me worry how A-Rod will fare when he returns from his own hip surgery. (Please hurry, Al.)
I was roused from my stupor when Mark Melancon made his appearance, and I was impressed with his two scoreless innings of relief work.
But he’s 24. Didn’t he look, like, 40?
Seriously. I thought I was watching a scene from “Benjamin Button.”
I was really excited when I got an email during the game from Greg of Red Sox Ramblings. He had an encounter with Dave Winfield while he was working at Fenway and wanted to let me know. Very cool, Greg! I loved it!
In the end, I guess I was just suffering from Yankees-Red Sox Fatigue – all those hours and innings without a single victory. I would be discouraged right now, except that the Yanks are a very good team that ran into a very hot club. It happens. I don’t think anybody could have beaten the Sox this weekend, given the streak they’re on.
The good news? There are 144 games left. Plenty of time for the Yankees to get hot too.
Confessions of a She-Fan 
The game was so unusual last night – it was short! The steal was the craziest thing and our young pitcher Bowden? I like the look of the future of the Red Sox. See you in NY in a week!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
An agonizing weekend! I hope that Brian Cashman is busy this week as he tries to make the right moves. Hopefully, the Yanks can quickly regroup and rebound. I still think they need to make a minor move to pickup up a capable third baseman because you don’t know what A-Rod will be like when he returns, or if he has any setbacks.
Scott
http://fotr.mlblogs.com
Apathy is such a great coping mechanism!
-Kathy http://redbirdchatter.mlblogs.com
So you pulled a Lohan with the car, huh? I do suppose that Joe Girardi’s moves are somewhat mind-altering on a lower level than any drugs, but you shouldn’t operate a vehicle while thinking about them.
http://www.paullebowitz.com/
Tough weekend for your Yanks. My weekend was salvaged with a W yesterday or I would have been right there with you. Long season though. That is just one of the great things about baseball. If this was college football, your season would be over.Russhttp://wight4256.mlblogs.com
Rough weekend for the Yanks and for you. Sorry about your car trouble. That’s a day-ruiner in itself.
Steve T.
http://soxblog.mlblogs.com
That first picture is incredibly disturbing. I hope your car is okay! So true about the 144 games, that’s what I keep telling myself too. Although, we’re a lot worse off than you are.
Melissa
http://clemsongirlbaseball.mlblogs.com
Two words: Pimp Slapped.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
Julia, Bowden did look very good. Plus, the Yankees looked flat – and they always have trouble with pitchers they’ve never seen before. It’s bizarre.
Scott, I agree that Cashman needs to get on the phone. But I like Pena at third and as a utility guy. I’d rather see Cash get us somebody we can trust in the pen (too early to say what Melancon will do) and I’m starting to wonder if the Gardner experiment will work out. We may need a center fielder by the trade deadline.
LOL, Kathy!
I wasn’t driving under the influence, Paul, but I was guilty of trying to get home in time for the game. So infuriating, because I had to wait an hour for the tow!
That’s it, Russ. We’ve got 144 games left. The fun’s just starting.
Thanks, Steve. It must have been a good weekend to be a Sox fan. I hope you went easy on your brother(s).
Melissa, when I look at the record of the Indians and the Rays, I know that it’s early in the season. Things will turn around.
Jeff, they pimp slap us one series. Then we pimp slap them the next. That’s why our records are so equal and why the rivalry is so exhausting!
That was a great series for the Red Sox! Pretty amazing…
http://kaybee.mlblogs.com
“Amazing” wouldn’t be my word for it, Kaybee.
Hmmm… I still think you win the pimp slap contest. 26 – 7. That’s the most important score. Hell, even the Cardinals beat the Sox in that department 10 – 7. OH YAY-ER! SLAP!
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
We do hold the overall pimp slap record, but they’re gaining on us. Aren’t you glad people will stop talking about Yankees-Red Sox for awhile?
Such language!! Pimp-slap??? Your teachers are spinning right now!!!
I hope that woman wasn’t headless!!! I have my weekend update edition up! Take a looksie!
Ken
Meh, you guys will get your revenge when the Red Sux, oops, I mean Sox infest, I mean, visit Yankee Stadium next week. I have to admit, though, that I thought Ellsbury stealing home was kind of cool. I haven’t seen anyone do that successfully in a long time.-Erinhttp://plunking-gomez.mlblogs.com
“Amazing”, kaybee? Way to be cruel and rub it in to the hurtin’ Yankees fans! I’ll give you a pass just this once, though, since I see you’re also a Padres fan, which I am too, having lived there for 20+ yrs.
I’m a newbie to your blog, Jane, and I’m enjoying your style. You crack me up. 🙂
Charmaine
Just think, you get to have that anxiety at least 15 more times this season.
That series would have wore me totally out. Not just by the 8 hours and 42 minutes for the first two games, but the emotional swings were incredible.
If you did not either reach for the Pepto or an heart defibulator, you are stronger than most people.
But the best thing about it all is not who won or lost………….. It made for classic baseball.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
I was watching the game with a Yankee-fan friend who expressed similar disgust…although she was a bit more vocal than you were! Melancon did look pretty impressive; and you’re right, with so many more games left and A-Rod’s impending return, I’m sure they have time to right the ship.
Paige
http://bestof162.mlblogs.com/
Jane, I was thinking about you and Julia this weekend, and how you were probably not a happy little camper, and how fitting that it was Julia’s birthday. Still trying to find a good picture of me for your contest – I’m usually the one taking the pictures, not the one in them. I’ve still got time!
Sue
Rants, Raves, and Random Thoughts
This team needs to start making changes right now. Make Cabrere the starting CF. Gardner has been pathetic and has yet to show he can play in the majors. He continues to play himself in the minors. Yanks also need to make Pena the 3B. Berroa has a ptrid glove, always has besides Pena is no worse than Ransom and Berroa offensively. This team made a big mistake by not going after a bat to take A-Rod’s spot. Simply too many weak bats on the roster, and the depth on the team is pathetic.
Hi Jane,
There still are many games left in the season so don’t get discouraged. I have gone through the same thing but moreso last season when my beloved Dodgers would get into those horrible slumps. I would actually go to the games and find myself nodding off. I suppose it doesn’t help that I usually am sleep deprived.
There are some very strong teams out there but they too are losing a couple here and there, Even my guys have lost 2 in a row.
Sorry about your car. What an inconvenience! At least you are okay. I think in that case what hurts the most is your pride.
http://catlovesthedodgers.mlblogs.com
Jane,
You should have gone to the LA Times book festival instead. I really enjoyed listening to David Baldacci on Sunday. I really have been so busy that I have not been posting but finally I wrote about the Dodger film “Bluetopia”
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
That woman sure looked headless to me, Ken.
I hope the Yankees will exact revenge, Erin, if our bullpen will let us.
Welcome, Charmaine. Glad you’re getting a kick out of the blog. I aim to please.
You described my current mood perfectly, Renegade: worn out. I can only imagined how drained the players must be.
Yes, there’s plenty of time to right the ship, Paige. For some reason, the Yankees seem to have had miserable Aprils the last few years. I was hoping this year would be different.
Sue, you’ve still got time for the photo. I know you must have a great one somewhere. Or why not have your hubby take one!
Matthew, Girardi listened to you tonight. Pena and Melky are both playing. But so far (and they’re in the 6th) the Yankees’ offense has been silent against Verlander.
Thanks for the sympathy, Cat. I know you understand. And I just found out my car will be in the shop until at least Wednesday. We Californians are NOT happy without our vehicles, are we.
Really sorry I missed Balducci, Emma. I’ve met him and he’s such a nice guy. His success is well deserved.