August 31, 2006
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Alex Rodriguez popped out to the first baseman with the bases loaded and one out. And this is what is really bothering fans, I believe. They've been seeing a lot of double plays and popouts in these types of situations from Rodriguez lately. He's hit into six GDP this month, (four batters have 7). He's already set a career high in GDP. I don't have pop out data, but he's certainly not driving the ball like he has in the past.
Of course, the Yankees failing to score in that inning isn't just his fault. Abreu popped out with a man on third and no outs, and Cano struck out with the bases loaded and two outs. But those two are playing much better overall.
The Tigers take advantage of the three men left on as Ordonez leads off the second inning with a home run, giving Detroit a 1-0 lead.
Update: Alex comes through in his second at bat. He hits something between a pop up and a line drive that falls between the charging left fielder and the retreating shortstop, scoring Abreu from second. Bobby took a chance running on the hit, as there was a non-zero probability someone could have made a great catch.
Update: Bobby Abreu makes up for his first inning pop out as well with a bases loaded single to put the Yankees up 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth.
Update and Correction: A-Rod leads off the fifth with a line drive double down the leftfield line. The replay showed him with his head right on the ball as the bat made contact. In three at bats. He's brought the ball down in from his pop out in the first (it was to the first baseman, not the catcher), to his fliner to his line drive. At least in this game, his swing is headed in the right direction. Bernie Williams singles Alex home to make the score 4-1 New York after five innings.
Update: Alex homers leading off the seventh. He's gotten better in every at bat this game.
Between innings, Jim Leyland got tossed. He was arguing with the home plate ump about the strike zone. He started arguing, then "God Bless America" started playing. Jim took off his hat, stood at attention for 30 second, then as soon as the song was over started arguing even more vehemently. Great theater from the Tigers' skipper.
Update: The Yankees win 6-4. Johnson pitches into the ninth, but gives up a walk and homer to start the inning, turning an otherwise excellent performance into a 4.50 ERA day. He struck out 8 and walked one, the two homers allowed being the big blemish on the day. By taking two of three from the Tigers, New York is three games behind Detroit for the best record, two in the loss column.
Posted by David Pinto at
01:28 PM
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Bottom of the third, A-Rod hits a single to drive in Abreu. he then steals second but is out when Cano grounds out to third.
A-Rod goes deep for the 5-2 lead. Good for him. I don't much care for the Yankees (outside of my abiding admiration for Jeter), but I kind of want to see A-Rod turn it around and stuff it down the throats of the New York boo birds.
That reminds me of something. Do we have two national anthems now (requiring removal of one's hat)? Not to sound like a curmudgeon, but one is enough.
Detroit will be lucky to win two games in the playoffs.
http://www.hittrackeronline.com/
In fact, A-Rod's HRs have been on average longer than anyone else in the majors this year, by a significant margin. I'd wager he's still driving the ball like he used to, but the microscope is on him a little stronger now.
Manny used to come close to leading the majors in GIDP each year, if I remember correctly. Has a whole lot to do with your place in the lineup and the OBP of the guys in front of you... both ARod are in a prime spot to have a man on first (at least) with their respective high OBP teammates.