New York Yankees: Darrell Rasner, and A-Robbed. Yankees Beat The Birds, 8 to 0.

May 21, 2008

50,682 settled in to the 58-degree weather, with 13 mph winds, and watched as a "Warming Up-Rod" trend set into the Yankees' offense, as their sizzling hot, new ace blew by the Orioles, causing a forced landing, with a shutout appearance against Baltimore. More radiant heat beamed from the 'pen before the game, as Joba Chamberlain learned that tonight he would start his transition to joining the rotation for the New York Yankees.

Before the Wednesday night game, manager Joe Girardi was asked for his thoughts about Darrell Rasner, and said, "The only thing he can really do better is throw a shutout every time, and we know that's not going to happen." Well, how is two out of three shutouts so far? After retiring the first eight Oriole hitters, Rasner went on to pitch seven shutout innings with a well-placed fastball, and a mixup of swooping curveballs, and knee-buckling changeups.

Hideki Matsui (0 for 3, 2 BB) led off the second inning with a ground out, and was then picked up with a Shelley Duncan (1 for 5) single. Robinson Cano (2 for 5) continued to improve, doubling to right and scoring Duncan. Chad Moeller (2 for 5) showed “the missing stick behind the plate,” and lined a single to left, scoring Cano. Moeller got the game-winning RBI, and Cano scored it.

In keeping with the youth movement of the night, Melky Cabrera (1 for 2, 1 BB) followed Moeller with another single up the middle. Damon (2 for 4) walked the bases loaded, and Moeller scored on a Derrick Jeter (0 for 3, BB) ground out.  The kids accounted for all three runs in the second inning.

Starting off the third was Mr. Alex Rodriguez, who returned last night from the month-long rehab of his quadricep. Alex led off with a flick of the wrist, and a shot over the left center-field wall, increasing the lead to 4-0. Matsui walked, and was then driven to third by a Cano single to right field. While trying to position himself, Melvin Mora reached his bare hand in front of a sliding Matsui. Mora caught a spike, resulting in Mora’s being knocked out of the game with an injured hand.

In keeping with the spirit of hurting hands, Garret Olson then hit Cabrera on the left wrist. The stat says “hit by pitch,” not scared by pitch. Hawkins retaliated for Jeter getting hit, by twice throwing inside. He was tossed. Much like Farnsworth against Boston, who was also ejected and then suspended, for hitting “No One.”

“Intent”, said the league. Did Olson intend to retaliate for Mora getting spiked?  Now you have two Oriole pitchers that actually hit Yankee batters without being tossed, and one Yankee pitcher was ejected again, for hitting "No One."

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