New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays GameThread, Aug 20, 2008 7:07 PM EDT

And the Grass it Was Ticking / And the Sun Was On the Rise

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 6:30 PM EDT in Game Threads Comment 96 comments

New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays

Lineup

08/20/08 7:07 PM EDT

New York Yankees	Toronto Blue Jays
Johnny Damon - CF	David Eckstein - 2B
Derek Jeter - SS	Marco Scutaro - 3B
Bobby Abreu - RF	Alex Rios - RF
Alex Rodriguez - 3B	Vernon Wells - CF
Jason Giambi - 1B	Adam Lind - LF
Xavier Nady - LF	Rod Barajas - C
Hideki Matsui - DH	Lyle Overbay - 1B
Robinson Cano - 2B	Kevin Mench - DH
Jose Molina - C	John McDonald - SS

I thought Rilo Kiley's last record, Under the Blacklight, could've been a lot better. But I do really like the song Silver Lining, the source of today's game thread title. It's a beautiful day here in D.C., and who knows? - maybe the Jays' sun is on the rise.

The Jays can draw even today with a win over the Yankees. They will have to contend with lefthander Andy Pettitte, who's had an up-and-down season. Keep hitting it to centerfield, guys. If you recall, the Yankees' fortunes started to turn last season when they moved Damon out of center and put Melky in there. Not sure that was coincidence.

David Eckstein gets the start today at 2nd and leads off. As I mentioned earlier, Eckstein's OBP is actually the second-highest on the team (behind Lyle) so I don't mind him atop the lineup. Kevin Mench gets the start at DH and perhaps he can provide a little production against the lefty.

David Purcey starts for the Jays, and looks to build on a great start last time. Let's see what he can do. I'll be around watching the game tonight, so stop by. Let's go Jays!

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Not a good start for Purcey letting the leadoff get on.

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

cmon Purcey

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ugh

bases loaded, no out

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bobby Abreu always dangerous against us.

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That worked out well.

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

although

not out of any woods yet.

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

a-rod pops up to shallow right

nice one Purcey

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

one more out

to go

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not getting ahead in the count

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 7:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Although there have been a few that I thought he should have got

but that’s from the CF camera

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that wasn't good

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

not the best of innings for Purcey

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

could have been worse

Purcey needs to throw some strikes next inning

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like the idea of Eck leading off

let’s hope I like the reality too

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the concept was better than the execution

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not yet

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

like to see

Rios extend the inning so Purcey doesn’t have trot back out quite yet

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well

he did take one pitch

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh well

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

didn't hurt AJ any....

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point

although A.J. does have more than 6 career major-league starts

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and ball one to satrt

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

start even

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wat i miss?

just came in

by norm depalma on Aug 20, 2008 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

not a good first inning from Purcey

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jays used about 6 pitches in their half

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's better!

strike out

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

P's settling down

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nice one

got ahead 0-2, got Molina to weakly ground out

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

it's weird

when Rance is actually making sense

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

be nice

he usually makes sense — if only he’d shut up after making his point.

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's really not bad

just rambles sometimes

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

arrrgh

Damon walks

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that 3-1 pitch

could’ve been a strike, I thought

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

they're sitting on the fastball

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

allright

gets Abreu to end the inning.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

got away with it

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this is a great song

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

let's see if we can make him pitch into double digits this inning

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

attaboy Vern

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well played by Cano

well we got a baserunner that time

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

small victories

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but it was a nice play

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

do you guys think we could trade for J.J. Hardy this offseason?

he might work out for us

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What could we conceivably give up for him?

And do they have someone being blocked by him such that they’d be willing to make that trade?

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, I forget his name, but I think he's ready for the bigs

that’s why I suggested it – they will likely be looking to keep costs down and have someone ready to step up

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

as for what we could give up

Litsch, one of our relievers, and Diaz or Jeroloman?

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not overly familiar with him

but another guy at short? Insurance incase Hill’s out? Lots more pop than Big Mac but I doubt he’s got the leather

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he's quite a good fielder actually

or he was before he broke his ankle

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this spot is where a rod is dangerous

by norm depalma on Aug 20, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nice one Lyle

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 7:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Purcey's posting a couple of adventurous scoreless innings

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Purcey settled down there

Now for the run support.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

another quick inning

at-bat for our heroes

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lots of action for Wells so far

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

4 straight balls

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rance notices Purcey's ADD.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 8:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ouch

not very pc

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i missed that

what he say?

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He said it looked like Purcey lost his focus for a few batters or a few pitches at a time.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

gotcha

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

this isnt going well at all

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tallet time maybe

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

jeter hr

i feel bad for jays but i do like jeter

by norm depalma on Aug 20, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

another quiet bottom half

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that half inning

took less time than one commercial break during the Daily Show rerun

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did we ever figure out why our righties can't hit lefties?

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not that I can remember

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya jays dont take lots of pitches anymore

and still dont hit worth shit
well with a 5 run deficit, they gonna keep swinging for the fences

noone thought we’d take this game anyway…we need doc tomorrow to kick ass

by norm depalma on Aug 20, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

we got a hit!

not really, it was an easy play for Abreu but we’ll take it

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nice play by A-rod

but we have a runner in scoring position, so that’s cool

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

good time

for Mench to finally hit a home run

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

or not

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You talk about Mench like he's a major league hitter.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I keep making that mistake

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Although .263 seems like a pretty low BABIP

for a 24% line drive rate.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but maybe

not if all those “line drives” were like that last one he just hit

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The scrappy portion of our lineup due up

Is there an extra s in there? I’m not sure.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

har!

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rios's time to shine

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Holy crap, he actually did it

I was using shine as a euphemism for GIDP

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

rios comes thru

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

attaboy!

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and vern strikes out with men on base and 1 out

and the broken record keeps on keeping on

by norm depalma on Aug 20, 2008 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

When was Lind's last multi-run homer?

The last bunch have all been solo shots.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Baltimore's got a huge lead on Boston

so at least we’re not losing ground in that race.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by stephen was taken on Aug 20, 2008 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His head is medically not on straight.

I want to know if his ADD was known when he was drafted, because it doesn’t seem like you would have to spend a first round pick to get a guy like that.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on Aug 20, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs