Some Recent Yankees History For You

I believe this was from Kevin Devaney filling in for Peter Abraham, but wanted to relay this stat to those Yankees fans still upset by Saturday's loss: 

 

Obviously, yesterday’s 22-4 defeat is still burning some of you. But allow me to put a positive spin on things. Remember back to these two dates

Aug. 31, 2004: Cleveland goes into Yankee Stadium and deals the Yankees their worst loss in franchise history, 22-0. The Yankees respond by winning 14 of 19 and secure a division title.

July 4, 2006: The Indians beat the Yankees 19-1 in Cleveland to drop the Yankees four games out of first. The Yankees respond by winning nine of 10 and 19 of 25 to climb into first place, which is where they stay the rest of the way.

April 18, 2009: Cleveland scores 14 runs in the second inning and thumps the Yankees 22-4 at the stadium. How will the Yankees respond? Smacking around Pavano would be a nice start.

 

Obviously, the smacking around of Pavano didn't happen (which disappoints us all). But maybe the big win yesterday with a Jeffrey Maier-like homer will propel the Yankees to great things this season.

Also, need to disagree a bit with Jay on the bullpen being a disaster so far. Yesterday we saw Jonathan Albaladejo (forevermore to be known as “JA”) and Brian Bruney (.045 BA against) dominate in big spots to keep the game close for the Yankees and Mariano is still the great Mariano.

The problem is that (inexplicably in my mind) Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman decided to go without a long man for the beginning of the season. That put guys like Phil Coke and JA (who, besides giving up 3 runs in a 60-pitch, 3 inning performance in Tampa, hasn’t given up a run or an extra base hit) in early situations they were never supposed to be in—like Ross Ohlendorf had last season. I know the calls for Joba to the bullpen have been loud, but I think that if the Yankees are able to get the solid 6-7 innings of starting pitching that they should out of this group, that the bullpen will be fine. And if not, Dave Robertson, Mark Melancon (who I have high hopes for) and others are available as well.