Hughes Can't See, but the Opposing Offense Sure Can

Another night, another brutal start by Phil Hughes (and of course another 100 runners left on base - Cano makes me want to fucking puke everytime he steps in the box, but I digress). Over the past year, we've been flying the Phil Hughes flag pretty hard. I'll even admit to arguing that he could be a better starter than the almighty Joba. Well, I'm not too big a man to admit when I'm wrong and as of April 29, 2008 Phil Hughes is flat out terrible. Tonight's line - 3.2 innings pitches, 8 hits, 6 runs, 2 home runs, 3 walks and only two strike outs, is another representative of the problem Hughes is having: namely, that when opposing batters step into the batter's box they're getting busy on the salad and staying through dessert. Unfortunately, Hughes is not fooling anyone, guys are teeing off him. It is not just the amount of hits, it is the lack of strike outs and the fact that almost every hit Hughes gives up is smoked, the kid is not getting beat on seeing eye singles.

So what do we do? Hughes is only 21 and just months removed from looking awfully good in the playoffs against Cleveland. Hughes has talent, it is just a matter of whether or not he is ready for the majors. Interestingly, the new Yankees pitching coach is Dave Eiland who was also Hughes pitching coach in the minors. I'd love to know what Eiland is saying on the bench. Is he looking out and wondering, "gee, these same pitches got an awful lot of minor league batters out." Or is he going "Hughes is just missing, it is a matter of time." Some have suggested that Hughes has lost something off his fastball, if he has, then Eiland should step up and either fix his motion or perhaps send him down to develop another pitch. But something has to give.

The bottom line is that the Yankees are struggling to score runs, I'm pretty sure they lead the world in making bad pitchers look good and they are in the bottom 5 in batting avg with runners on base; the defense is dreadful, Jorge and A-Rod are hurting, Cano swings at every pitch regardless of how close to the strike zone it actually is, and Hideki Matsui is playing with giant chopsticks sticking out of his back. The team cannot afford to only be able to rely on Wang, Andy Pettitte and perhaps Mike Mussina again for quality starts. If Hughes and Kennedy are going to continue to set the ball on a tee for opposing hitters then Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi has to make a change. Ross Ohlendorf, especially after striking out 5 in 3.1 innings tonight, is starting to make a case for starting and there other arms in the minors. Oh, and there is that Joba guy only pitching an inning a game.

Aces High!

Wang gets Bruce Lee on Cleveland, using his Kung Fu grip to strike out 9.

We just wish we really had slept for a week...

We admit, we here at 26goingon27 have been asleep at the wheel this week. We'd like to say it was because we were zipping around the globe in our private jets, sipping Crystal smoothies and smoking ten foot cigars. Unfortunately, we were rocking around town in our worn out Kangaroos (pocket on the side, of course) and were just too tired/lazy to post about all the late night happenings in Chicago. But, because we are dedicated to our readers, here's what went down:

First the bad news, Brian Bruney, who has been outstanding this year, may be lost for the year after tearing some tendons in his foot. We'd like to think his tendons weakened after giving up beer, but it turns out to just be plain old bad luck. The Yanks bullpen took a major hit here.

Now, the good news, the Bombers took 2 out of 3 from the White Sox, a good start to the road trip. More importantly, Jason Giambi, sufficiently shamed by last weeks Minky is showing signs of life. The artist formerly known as the Giambino hit 3 home runs this week, a few deep doubles, and took a couple of walks, providing a huge boost to the lineup. Additionally, Alex Rodriguez is back, but because the Yanks actually have quality instead of shite on their bench, Morgan Ensberg did a decent job filling in. Still, we'd rather have the reigning MVP hitting bombs to right field in our lineup, then a guy named Morgan. Meanwhile, Bobby Abreu continues to carry the team with clutch hits, considering how he's hitting this year, the Yankees should sign him to a series of one year contracts.

The pitching was decent, but not great. Some people were celebrating the resurrection of Mike Mussina, but even Michael Kay, the homer's homer, pointed out that the Pale Hosers hit a few deep flys that probably would have gone out, had it not been for the cold weather. The Wanger had a decent start, getting a win when he pitched liked doo-doo. Phil Hughes looked great for 2 innings, but the rain delay wiped out his start. Props to Joe Girardi for not putting Hughes at risk by letting him go back to the mound after a 45 minute rain delay.

On another note, Kyle Farnsworth became a 26goingon27 favorite by throwing at Manny's head. Well, this morning I nearly ran out and bought a Farnsworth t-shirt after reading in the NY Times that Farnsworth is a fan of the arcade game Big Buck Hunter. Based on those two actions, we at 26goingon27 are offering an open invitation to Kyle to meet us anywhere in NY for a Big Buck Hunter tournament. We'll supply the quarters, Kyle just has to supply the beers.

Everyone Gets a Minky!

This weeks Minky goes to the entire Yankees offense. Watching this team hit is about as fun as getting a tongue scraping from a great white shark. The only saving grace is that no one on this team, other than Bobby Abreu and A-Rod, wants to take a pitch or try and actually get on base by taking a walk, so the innings are short and painful.

Yeah, I know, they kicked the shit out of Boston on Wednesday. Since then however, they've been shut down by the immortal Daniel Cabrera and some guy who won a pitch for the Orioles radio contest – Brian Buress. This past Friday the supposed Bronx Bomblets were held to 2 runs by Daniel Cabrera, the same Daniel Cabrera who sports a nifty 5.16 ERA and couldn't throw a strike if the ump used Dwight Howard's strike zone. The team followed up that sterling effort with an amazing ZERO runs against some dude name Brian Burres, I have no idea how disgusting this effort actually was because I have no idea who Brian Burres is. Given the Yanks did manage to win on Sunday, but no one should lose site of the fact that Steve Trachsel held the team to 3 runs in 6.1 innings. Getting only 3 runs against Trachsel is like only getting to third base against the drunk girl at the party who just broke up with her boyfriend and was throwing up from all the shots of Jaeger she did with her sorority sisters five minutes before you met her.

The golden turd in the lineup is Jason Giambi who is batting .109 with a .288 on base percentage and .283 slugging percentage. Even better his 2 home runs are both off the corpse of Mike Timlin and probably shouldn't be counted. Robinson Cano is doing all he can to kill any rally by batting .169, slugging .234 and getting on base at .200 clip. If those two weren't enough to make you puke on your notebook, Johnny Damon is hitting .215/.342/.400, although those numbers look nasty compared to the wonder twins Giambi and Cano. So, if you want to do the math – 9 batters, 3 automatic outs = Cabrera and Burres looking like major league pitchers.

Fortunately, fans shouldn't have to watch this abortion all summer, the offense should get better. Even though Giambi and Damon might be done (Cano will hit, just give him time) – Morgan Ensberg and Shelly Duncan can play DH/1B and the Yanks could get by with Bob Abreu, Hideki Matsui and Melky Cabrera in the outfield. (Hey guys who miss Torre – do you miss having Nick Green and Miguel Cairo on the bench?). Of course, even if Giambi returns to his pre-Balco form and Damon turns back into sasquatch, unless Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes can start making it past 4 innings and the defense can make it through 9 innings without an error, the Yanks are going to struggle to keep up with Boston this year.

NOTE: We at 26goingon27 think Joba Chamberlain should have been in the starting rotation all along. If the Brian Cashman is truly planning on bringing him along the way the Twins brought Johan Santana then things are all good. However, if the plan is to really keep Joba in the bullpen for his career, then Hank was right – that plan is idiotic.

15 Runs in 1yr 3mos 18days and 33minutes

It may have taken all night, but the Yankees bats undo Wang's mess.

Cano Comes Through in the 8th

It was buy one, get a home run for free at the Trop tonight. Fortunately for the Bombers, it was Robbie Cano's bomb that counted most. Damon, A-Rod and Morgan Ensberg went deep for the Yanks; Carl Crawford, BJ Upton, and Evan Longoria went yard for the Rays. Ian Kennedy was solid till he took a liner off the hip. Fortunately, Mo Rivera came in and put an end to the madness by treating the opposing hitters like the chumps that they are.

Poll 'o the Week Results

One person voted and that person was wrong.

And this Weeks Minky Award Winner is....

Originally, this weeks Minky was going to go to the Yankees offense. However, over the past 4 games, the offense has exhibited a faint pulse. Unfortunately, the ability to drive in runs when runs are most needed, aka - anytime last night (I'm talking to you Damon, Mr. 2 on, no out, down by 3, hitting into a double play - son of a sasquatch), has yet to be seen.
With the offense coming around, it was clear that there was another deserving recipient of the Minky. The award goes to Phil "Youngblood" Hughes. Admittedly, this is the toughest Minky we've had to give out. Initially, I only envisioned Minkys going to the obvious targets, however, it is painfully clear that Hughes plain stunk this week.

Hughes made 2 starts, lasted 3 and 2 innings, gave up 10 runs, 12 hits and 5 walks - that is just garbage. Hughes is young, 21 years old, and most likely has a long bright future ahead of him. Yet for him to reach his considerable potential, he must develop another pitch. Against the Royals and Boston, it was fastball, fastball, curve - he needs to mix in that change up we've heard about if for nothing else than to keep the batters off balance. Major league hitters are simply too good to go after with 2 pitches. The good news is Hughes youth, he is just as likely to reel off 3 shutouts in a row as he is to continue to stink. Therefore, this Minky is intended as a wake up call to Hughes- hopefully he will never receive the golden turd again.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(14) Our goal was to blog throughout this game, however, given the fact that it is 10:40 and the game is only in the 5th inning - we'll kill the live feed and re-cap tomorrow.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(13) Although he may get the win dice-k has been awful. Fortunately for frat boys throughout New England, Hughes was worse and the Yanks keep letting him off the hook by not not getting the big hit. Dice-K is doing his best to let the Yanks back in this game.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(12) Longest game ever. I thought Varietk only took his helmet off when he hit home runs, I guess he does it when he grounds into double plays too.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(11) According to Joe Morgan, Sean Casey doesn't hit home runs because of his swing - we thought it was because he blows. Apparently we were wrong, it is because he swings like a girl.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(10) Bombers put up 3 and Russ Ohlendorf knocks the Predator on his ass - things are getting interesting.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(9)We hoped, that unlike in the movies, the predator would lose. Unfortunately, this games about as shitty as the actual Alien Verse Predator movies.

Lets go Rangers!

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(8) Hughes aint great but neither is our defense.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(7) Despite being "flumoxed" by Dice-K, Bobby drives in Damon by knocking one off the Green Monster.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(6) Julio Lugo makes a nice catch - Harvard Square is burnd to the ground.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(5) Dustin Pedroia shows his scrapiness by throwing a hissy fit. Is there a single Boston player who will strike out without crying? How does anyone root for this team?

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(4) Bombers get right back into things with a walk, a foul out to the catcher, a can of corn to right field and a worm burner to third - woo fucking hoo. Dice-K is wild and Giambi, Posada and Molina all bailed him out by reaching for pitchers so that when the bat made contact their asses were hanging out and they were reaching across the plate. Considering this is our first live blog, they better do something to keep our attention or we're heading for internet porn.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(3) Yanks down 3-0, Rangers down 3-2, if I didn't have to be up for work tomorrow, I'd start doing shots every time the cameras show a Boston fan wearing a white hat and rocking the coolest facial hair in Kap Sig.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(2) Jon Miller reminds us that Hughes is only 21 and that he is the youngest Yankee pitcher to make a start in Fenway - this is worth remembering when the inevitable articles about how the Yanks could have had Johan Santana if they would have parted with Hughes are published tomorrow. On another, note this might become a blog about the Rangers playoff game. Hughes strikes Varitek out on a filthy curve - Varitek was going to fight the umpire, but he didn't have his mask or catching gear on.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

(1) 1st Inning - Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu walk, perhaps the patience has returned. Joe Morgan adds that Abreu no longer steals bases - he stole 25 last year. Damon steals second, the Yanks first of the year. A-Rod lets Dice-K off the hook by bouncing into a double play.
Phil Hughes sets the tone by walking Jacoby Ellsbury. Blown pitch out allows Ellsbury to go o 3rd, might as well give him the run now. ESPN informs us that Hughes played 3B until he was a sophomore in high school. Being under the impression that all pitchers began in 8th grade, the fact that Hughes has made it to the majors as a pitcher is stunning. Hughes sends Dustin Pedroia to the bench with a nasty curve. Hughes walks JD Drew to face Manny Ramirez - not a good idea. Manny Delivers, 1-0 Boston. Sac fly - 2-0 Boston. Hughes has thrown a million pitches and given up a deep double to Sean "The weakest hitting 1b in the American League" Casey - I just threw up my dinner.

Yankees V Red Sox -- 26-GoingOn-27 Liveblog

April 13. Yankees at Boston.

This is our first liveblog. Excuse spelling errors, typos, crappy postings and poor formatting. Otherwise, enjoy the show.

Rainy, Muddy... Not so much fun overall

Do games played in 3 inches of mud count? Did you see what happened when someone tried to slide? It was like watching a fat kid trying to get pulled on rollerblades by his 10 pound labradoodle. Some things just don't mix.

Well, except Brian Bruney and long hair. He has found new powers in his new locks. Farnsworth on the other hand, has not.

Break up the Royals!

After sweeping the Tigers, the Royals bounce the Bombers in game one. Not much to write about here, A-Rod turned into K-Rod rocking the golden sombrero for his season debut on the road, Phil Hughes couldn't find the strike zone - walking 4 in 3 innings, and the offense stranded 7 runners on base, and the team committed an error.

Moose Finds the Fountain of Youth

Great night for the Bombers. Mike Mussina turned the clock back with 6 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 BB, 1 ER, and 3 Ks. If Mike Mussina can be merely above average this is a huge boost for the staff. The Yanks offense, led by Bobby "Walk Year" Abreu, showed signs of life as Abreu nearly hit for the cycle. Kyle Farnsworth threw a whole shutout inning - given it was in a low leverage situation and even Mr. Head for the Exits himself managed not to blow a five run lead, heck he even managed to strike someone out (after giving up a hit and a walk of course).

On a down note, Derek Jeter was taken out of the game with a strained quad. However, unlike years past instead of having to watch suckers like Miguel Cairo and Nick Green trot out, Girardi was able to slide Morgan Ensberg and Wilson Betemit in without the Yanks taking a major hit - happy days indeed.

Biggest Loser Poll

According to our fans, Josh Beckett, you are the biggest loser

The winner of the first 26 Going on 27 Minky Award goes to (drum roll please)...LaTroy "Head for the Exits" Hawkins. What really makes Hawkins amazing is that Ian Kennedy was atrocious, the defense has been less than stellar, Johnny Damon is playing with a giant fork sticking out of his back, and the offense is non-existent, and yet this pick was a no-brainer. To understand just how awful Hawkins has been take a look at what Mr. Head for the Exits has done in his 2 appearances: he's pitched 2 innings, given up 8 hits, 7 earned runs, 1 HR, has struck no one out, and is sporting a 31.50 ERA. The only positive is that Hawkins hasn't walked anyone, although that is probably because hitters can't wait to swing at his pitches.

On a serious note, the combined awfulness of Hawkins and Farnsworth stands to be Joe Girardi's first test. So far, Girardi has not used either in a high-leverage situation. Girardi's reluctance to use either when the game is on the line is a good sign considering that Mo and Joba have been lights out, while Brian Bruney and Russ Ohlendorf, and Jonathan Albaladejo have all been effective. It will be interesting to see if Girardi has the courage to use the younger, cheaper guys who are pitching well, over the higher paid, longer in the tooth, and sure to give up a home run duo of Hawkins and Farnsworth. Unfortunately, Albaladejo was sent down to make room for Pettitte, when the wiser move would have been to eat the money and cut Hawkins. If Joe Torre were here, we know that he'd go to Farnsworth and Hawkins because of their names, let's see if Girardi has the balls to use guys who less people have heard of, but get far better results.

Thank you Godzilla

Matsui: 3 for 4 , 2 Run HR
Wang: 6Ks in 6 innings
Joba and Mo combined to make the Rays pray to the Devil

Hughes V Santana

Phil Hughes - 6 IP, 4 Ks, 4 Hits, 2 Earned Runs, 1 BB - Is 21 years old and makes the major league minimum
Johan Santana - 7 IP, 8 Ks, 3 Hits, 2 Earned Runs, 2 BB - Is 29 years old and makes 13 million dollars

Any questions?

Our First Message from Secret Agent GFK39

So here, we are....2 games in looking at the old proverbial '7-10 split' in the W-L column, and I've had the pleasure of experiencing the highest of the high, and sadly the lowest of the low.

After Mondays dress rehearsal, we got right down to business on Tuesday night where a good friend of mine secured me a Legends Suite ticket about 4 feet from Vernon Wells and the Toronto on-Deck circle. Easily, the best seat I've ever had in Yankee Stadium. Vernon joked with us after we asked him if Eckstein was able to see the top of his locker, we drank a few $8 beers, and then passed by Christopher Walken and Lorne Michaels to take a piss. Ahh...how the other half lives.

There was a game too. Wang did the business vs the BlueBirds and Joba came on and stroked every Yankee fans hard-on that's been raging for the past 6 months. Then of course, Mo came in with the Marlboro light and baseball in the Bronx as we know it, was officially underway, TAKE 2!!

So back to reality, after a few cans of Miller Lite at secret location #3, I was back in the bleachers last night...you know...that little shoebox in right field where they don't serve beer and basically anyone who comes up the stairs in a Mutts shirt is an asshole?? Gosh, it was cold last night and my pal from the night before, Vernon Wells, who has had a special relationship with section 39 the last few years, made up for his goofs and blunders the night before and smashed a 2 run shot to left. I was secretly happy for him, because, he is not only the coolest non-Yankee there is, but also because maybe it will convince people that Mussina really does suck now.

It was magnetic schedule night last night...wow, I love those things. That's the third best giveaway at the stadium aside from luggage tag night and mouse pad night, if you have to know (All of you 'hog-four-tickets for-Delusso-Deli-Meats-statuettes-then-put them-on-ebay-douchebags' can suck on that. I hate you and you need to get a life).

I think the highlight of last night, apart from LaTroy Hawkins embarassing debut, was when I saw a severely overweight guy in 39 who looked like a combination of Shrek and genetically enhanced Chicken McNugget. "HEY...YOUR U.F.O. IS DOUBLE PARKED!!!" we yelled...and all we got back was a smile and a wave. He seemed to be travelling with a pubescent Mets fans who had a moustache and a uni-brow, who was escorted away by the police after flipping the middle finger at someone a few rows back. Somehow, Shrek managed to stay a few minutes longer, without his little buddy, and then disappear to what looked like section 41.

It's good to be back. Cold, rain, and all.....See you this year at the stadium

"GFK39"

Another View on the Loss

LaTroy Hawkins, just as crappy as we thought.
Other than that, Mike Mussina pitched well enough to win most times out, but AJ Burnett was better. Hopefully, Phil Hughes will flip the script tonight and we won't need to see Hawkins or Kyle Farnsworth tonight.

A Loss...

Moose clearly didn't have it tonight, but I just can't watch A-Rod strike out on that same damn pitch on the outside corner, EVERY TIME. It really looked like we were going to have some late inning heroics but I guess not. Then again, it is only the second game of the season and it already looks like the Mets are screwed so things aren't that bad. But please, we are 100% A-Rod supporters, but I swear I just can't take him getting struck out on that pitch all season.

Yanks Drop the Method for a Successful Season

Here's how it works:
Combine 7 quality innings from Wang with 1 inning, 2ks from Joba plus 1 shutout inning from Mo. Then mix 2 spectacular catches by Melky with a pinch of big hitting from A-Rod. Stir in a large bowl till thoroughly combined and you have a recipe for a winning season.

One More Time, From the Top

So a little rain does scare us.

Hopefully tonights 7 o'clock start won't be delayed also. Come on Bombers its just the Blue Jays.