I Love Sweeps
Last night the formula was CC + A-Rod = Victory. Tonight it was A.J. + Tex/Swisher = Victory. I know people don’t want to make too much of Dave Eiland’s return to the team, but it’s not a coincidence that A.J. has looked like a different pitcher since Eiland came back. He’s gone from God awful and grouchy…
…to focused and fabulous.
Sure, A.J.’s defense helped him out tonight (sometimes I just sit there and marvel at the plays Tex makes – I guess I didn’t realize he was that good), but his stuff was nasty and the Oakland hitters were overmatched. Luckily, the Yankees hitters weren’t. They worked Gio’s pitch count up and then pounced. Tex’s three-run shot got things going, but what a night for Swisher. A single, double, homer and a walk? Not too shabby for the All Star candidate. (Did we really get him for Wilson Betemit? I’m still pinching myself.)
Even Ramiro Pena (I groaned when I saw Cano was out of the lineup – his back better not be all that sore) had a couple of hits. Marte and Joba did their jobs in the eighth and ninth, and that was the ball game. Oh, well there was one other moment that must be mentioned. Somebody ended up being very embarrassed.
A-Rod overran a pop-up in foul territory and dropped the ball – and himself.
He went face down onto the field, and it didn’t take long before Jeter was laughing hysterically. After A-Rod got up, the two of them kept cracking up and I couldn’t help smiling too.
(Thanks to caitlin on Twitter for the screen grab.)
So for those east coasters who missed the game, it was basically more of the same: good pitching, hitting and defense – a pleasure to watch.
Confessions of a She-Fan 
It was another enjoyable win. Does the team really have to leave Oakland? This trip has been very much needed. Three easy wins. Now, if Dave Eiland can only get Phil Hughes going again! Hopefully, the back issue with Cano is only overblown as an “excuse” for his removal from the HR Derby (a move that I was very glad to see). I am amazed that you found a way to work Wilson Betemit’s name into your blog! That’s an amazing feat! 😉 The Swisher trade definitely looks very good today.
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Have a great day!
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Scott
http://fotr.mlblogs.com
Looks like Michael Kay under the egg, Jane. We all love sweeps, no doubt about that. And Gardner is showing again and again that he deserves to be on the starting team. Amazing.
Let’s not forget to keep voting for Swisher for the final spot on the All-Star roster — today is the last day we can vote.
I’m really loving the west coast road trip this time around because we can go to our town’s free concerts and then come home to enjoy the game. We saw “Hotel California” – the Eagles tribute band. They were fantastic…but not as fantastic as our Yankees. Now its on to Seattle — hope they need their brooms again. GO YANKEES!!!
Good job supporting the boys in Oakland! 3 of 4 in Seattle will make for nice all star break.
100 degrees yesterday here but the ground didn’t shake! Did you feel the rock and roll out there? SEND SWISH!!!!
Hi Jane & Fellow Baseball Fans…
Hey Diane …I thought the same thing …that does look like Michael Kay behind the egg…lol. Also ..thanks for the heads up about the concerts. I’m still trying to get acclimated after the west coast vacation and staying up late all week watching these games. I have the schedules for the shows on LI and hope to get to a few in the future.
I can’t wait for the drama of LeBron to be over with …I’m not a big basketball fan and I’m TIRED OF IT ALREADY !!! That’s all you hear about day in and day out. I’m more concerned about the drama of Swish into the All Stars … :o).
I’m hoping Swish makes it ….I kept voting in between innings last night. SEND SWISH !!!!
This Oakland team certainly has helped out our pitching staff …not to mention our homerun guys too. Now we move on to Seattle with Lee and the other King ..King Felix (at least I don’t have to hear about King James after tonight UNLESS he chooses the Knicks then it will be another new round of LeBronamania). Hopefully the hitters really wake up in Seattle and show up against Lee & Felix. Looking forward to the games but not the LATE nights !!!
Good luck to Swish …may he be our next representative in the All Star Game. VOTE SWISH !!!
Go Yankees 2010 !!!
I feel anything but love for sweeps right now. It just adds to our troubles that you guys completed the sweep, while we were getting swept. We’re now in an even deeper hole. At least one battle is close, apparently Youk and Swisher are pretty even in votes right now. I’m excited for the result.
-Fenway Bleacher Creature
http://the3rs.mlblogs.com/
Scott, I don’t know about Cano’s sore back. Maybe it’s the reason he’s been in a slump lately. I’m just glad he’s out of the HR derby and hope he starts hitting again. I hope Dave Eiland can work his magic on Hughes too, although he hasn’t been that bad, just mediocre. Well, cancel that. “Mediocre” on the Yankees = bad. lol.
It does look like Michael Kay under the egg, Diane! I didn’t think of that last night when I posted the pic, but you’re so right. I’m actually getting tired of the west coast games. Normally I enjoy watching at 7 pm here, but I realized I’ve gotten used to having the games over by then! Glad you’re able to go to the concerts and be back for the Yankees.
Thanks, John. I take all the credit for the sweep. 🙂 I didn’t feel the earthquake here in Santa Barbara, which was nice. They had more shaking south of me. Let’s hope nothing shakes during the ASG in Anaheim. Stay cool in those hot temps.
Peggy, I totally agree on the LeBron thing. Talk about overkill. We have an oil spill in the Gulf and a terrorist plot in Norway and countless other significant issues going on in the world, but he has an hour special on ESPN to announce something that would take 10 seconds? I have to think a lot of his fans are turned off by this, as great a player as he is. Not looking forward to facing Lee and King Felix again – ugh – but maybe the hitters will figure them out this time.
Your guys are so banged up right now, FBC. It’s a miracle they’re able to compete. But we all know that as soon as everybody’s healthy they’ll be knocking on the door again.
Jane! You groaned? You’re the one who said Cano needed a day off. XD Another great game. First sweep away from the road! Swisher really showed why he should be in the All Star game, even if his numbers aren’t as good as the other candidates. The Arod thing was great. Especially after he dropped it, he just stayed on the ground a few moments, too embarrassed to get up. Also there was a point in the game Arod could have walked over the mound AGAIN. but decided not to this time lol. He also apparently signed 10 of the “Get off my mound” shirts for charity. He really is a different guy. Btw, I take back some of things I said about AJ… 😛
Jane,
Put a little distance on the Red Sox for you in our own Sweep. This last week is going to be a blast. With 3 teams in the AL now having 50 wins or better, it is going to be a fun and gun Summer now.
Guess we both have to get used to the rollercoatser ride until early October. But I would not want it any other way.
Both of us have to stay hungry, and wanting it more and more every day.
Fun, fun, fun!
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
I mean, “First sweep on the road…” 😀
I really enjoyed the A-Rod thing last night, seindsfeld. If it happened in a game the Yankees were losing – or in a playoff game – I’d go nuts. But since there was no harm, I was happy to laugh along with him and Jeter. Glad you’re reconsidering your opinion of A.J.
Your sweep was impressive too, Renegade. And congrats on getting Soriano on the AST. It will definitely be a roller coaster ride the rest of the way. Am I prepared? My head is, but I’m not sure about my stomach. lol.
Very happy to see A.J. pitching well, Brian, because we know what he’s capable of. He has great stuff!
That stat surprised me, Virginia. But as you say, just wait until we really get hot!
Jane,
It’s always nice to A.J pitching well since it doesn’t happen all that often. Lets hope he can keep it up.
– Brian
http://brianchaires.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/07/congrats-swish-you-deserve-it.html
Jane: I love sweeps, too! I can’t believe this was their 1st road sweep of the year. Imagine when we REALLY get in a groove…these Yankees are unstoppable!
-Virginia
http://southernbelle.mlblogs.com
This East Coaster loves a good Left Coast game at night. Problem is I’m just so out of touch with the last week or so. I see Swish will be swinging with the Stars. Good for him. He’s a good guy. I’ll take a dozen “hims” on my team ~ Not really but you get the sentiment. I see the Yanks don’t want the HR Derby messing up Cano’s season. Injury my ….! Pfff.
Yup, Mike. Swish got the votes and he’s in. Not bad for a guy that was hitting .211 with the White Sox two years ago. I didn’t want Cano in the derby. He’s not a home run hitter and sore back or no sore back he’s having a great season. Don’t want to mess with that.