Monday, April 30, 2012
Yankees.com: Efficient Kuroda helps own cause to top O’s
NEW YORK—Hiroki Kuroda turned in a stellar seven-inning effort and Eric Chavez slugged a two-run homer, as the Yankees defeated the Orioles, 2-1, on Monday at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees received a strong starting performance for a second straight day, as Kuroda followed up CC Sabathia’s winning effort with a gem of his own, permitting just one run on four hits and saving the lead with his own defensive play at home plate.
Kuroda looked like he had nothing over the first two innings as seemingly every ball was hit hard, but he settled down nicely to give the Yankees seven innings of one-run ball. His final play of the game was probably the most important one. The Orioles had the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on second with two outs in the seventh when a pitch got away from Russell Martin. It rolled into foul territory but not all that far and the Orioles gambled by sending the runner but Martin was able to retrieve the ball and flip it to Kuroda who beat the runner to the plate and applied the tag to the end the inning. The Orioles could not muster anything against David Robertson or Mariano Rivera over the final two innings and the Yankees had a nice win in a rare briskly played pitcher’s duel.
I’m enjoying watching Kuroda pitch so far and hope he can keep it going. I’d take a 3.69 ERA from him over the rest of the year.
I was not particularly enamored with the Eric Chavez re-signing, but so far he’s been great. I don’t know if he’ll stay healthy or keep it up all year, but he’s probably already been worth his salary.
Comments
The only run Kuroda gave up was because Ibanez couldn’t catch an easy flyball. I agree that he did not pitch very good, but is a good thing to give up one run when you’re not at your best. Solid win for the Yankees.
I didn’t say he didn’t pitch well. He just didn’t look great in the first two innings. I thought he pitched well after that.
The Ibanez play probably gets made by most OF, but it wasn’t an easy play.
Oakland with the double CT.
I don’t know if he’ll stay healthy
Ahh… er… you know, SG, sometimes you can predict baseball.
I’m surprised Nick Johnson didn’t get injured as Chavez was running the bases today.
Montero with the go ahead homer in the 11th inning in Tampa.
Sigh.
At least we can enjoy the TB loss.
Or not.
How awesome is Yu?
[7] My ex-lover, a non-native-speaker-of-English, used to ask me that pretty frequently. (It was rhetorical.)
haha…A winner is Yu!
Great win.
Do you know what’s weird? I saw that the Yankees were 49-35 against the Mets lifetime. I thought they’d have a better record.
It looks like the Yankees won a few games in my absence. Am I now banished?
Oh my God, Nick Johnson is 0-26. He’s reached base by HBP three times more often than all other manners combined. That is so sad. I love Nick Johnson. I wonder if it’s a freak slump or if he’s done. If the O’s DFA’d him now his career would probably be over. Hope he can turn it around.
[12] reads like a third grade writing assignment. Unintentional.
I think the injuries have taken their toll on him. He seems like a shell of his former self.
Speaking of something that seems like a kid-like quality, have y’all seen this St. Louis reporter piece where the lady just fawns over David Freese?
EMBARRASSING!
Brian Cronin: did you go to Babson College and USC?
[9] - Wow. Blast form the past. Well done.
Is anyone ever a self of his former shell?
I held it truth, with him who sings
To one clear harp in divers tones,
That men may rise on stepping-stones
Of their dead selves to higher things.
Brian Cronin: did you go to Babson College and USC?
Nope.
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