Saturday, August 31, 2013

The Greedy Pinstripes First Live Chat Open Thread

-- Chat Closed --

With lots to talk about in Yankees land and college football and the NFL right around the corner we wanted to sort of test the grounds and see what kind of reaction we could get with a live chat open thread. I will be monitoring this, albeit loosely, so please be respectful and all that so we can do these more often. Enjoy!

Thunder Fall Victim to Long-Ball, Sea Dogs 8-1


Thunder Fall Victim to Long-Ball, Sea Dogs 8-1
Three HR for Portland pace strong offensive night

PORTLAND, ME - The Thunder would have locked up an East Division Wild Card berth with a win Friday night, but the Portland Sea Dogs defeated Trenton 8-1 in front of 7,368 at Hadlock Field to keep the Thunder out of the playoffs for at least one more day.
With Trenton leading the Sea Dogs by 4.0 games with five games to play, a loss would have ended Portland's chance at catch the Thunder before the season ended. However, Portland scored a run in the 4th inning to take a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the 6th before widening the margin further with three runs in both the 6th and 7th.
Trenton pitching allowed three home runs on the night including two in the 6th inning by starting pitcher Mikey O'Brien. O'Brien drops to 7-8 on the season with the loss after allowing four runs- all earned- in 6.0 innings. He struck out six on the night and has now struck out 35 batters in his last 28.2 innings pitched.
Trenton scored a lone run in the ballgame in the top of the 8th inning when Ramon Flores doubled and Jose Pirela singled him home. Flores finished the night 2-for-4 and is now 7-for-16 in his last three games played.
With the win by Portland, Trenton's lead in the East Division Wild Card reduces to 3.0 games over the Sea Dogs and with Binghamton's 3-0 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, New Hampshire is eliminated from the playoff picture which leaves Trenton and Portland as the only two teams remaining still in contention for the Wild Card.
Trenton continues their final series of the regular season Saturday with a doubleheader at Hadlock Field against Portland featuring two, seven-inning ballgames separated by 30 minutes. Game 2 will begin at 5:00 p.m. and have RHP Shane Greene (7-4, 3.48) pitching for the Thunder against LHP Mickey Pena (1-0, 3.29) for Portland, with Trenton's LHP Caleb Smith (NR) making his Double-A debut against RHP Terry Doyle (1-5, 3.94). Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and streaming online begins at 4:45 p.m.

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE. 

Nova, Cano do all the work in 2-0 win over Orioles

Earlier today on this site, it was mentioned that Nova threw his first career shutout, so I don't feel like I need to talk much about that part of the game. He was really good and I'm happy he's on the team right now, but I don't think I need to repeat stats. 

Anyway, this game was boring as hell. Cano drove in a run with double in the first then homered in the eighth, but in between those two scoring plays nothing interesting happened. This win was a big one and I'm not gonna complain about a 2-0 score, but this one was really dead. It was like both teams were tired. Either way, they won. Today was a good day.  

Braves Batter Charleston Bullpen, Win 8-4


Braves Batter Charleston Bullpen, Win 8-4
RiverDogs can't hold slim lead, fall in series opener

CHARLESTON, SC - The Rome Braves scored five runs in the seventh inning to erase a 3-2 deficit and cruise to an 8-4 win on Friday night over the Charleston RiverDogs in South Atlantic League action in front of 5,768 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
With the loss, the RiverDogs fall to 34-33 in the second half and 73-62 overall. The Braves improve to 36-31 in second half play and 72-64 overall with the win.
Both teams played long ball early with solo homers by Edison Sanchez for Rome and Ericson Leonora for Charleston in the second inning.
Still tied at 1-1 in the top of the fifth, Kyle Wren smacked just his second home run of the year to put the Braves up 2-1.
However, that lead didn't last long because after a walk to Greg Bird, righty slugger Dante Bichette, Jr. slammed his 11th homer of the year. The two-run shot gave the Dogs their first lead of the game, a 3-2 advantage.
RiverDogs' starter Brett Gerritse departed after six solid innings having allowed just four hits, two runs, two walks, and six strikeouts. The two homers were the first two he allowed all year. Gerritse wouldn't factor in the decision.
Righty Victor Beriguete came out of the bullpen to begin the seventh and was no relief for Charleston. In his debut for the Dogs, Beriguete allowed five run, four earned, on three hits, two walks, two wild pitches, and recorded just one out. He got tagged with the loss to fall to 1-0.
Lefty Matt Chaffee was great for Rome out of the bullpen tossing 2.1 scoreless, hitless innings. He walked two and fanned six en route to the win to improve to 2-1.
Greg Bird had another great game for the RiverDogs with three walks and a single. He now has a league leading 103 walks on the season.
BALLPARK FUN: The RiverDogs red, white, and blue digi camo jerseys were auctioned off during the game, and following the completion of the game were handed directly off the team's backs to the fans who purchased them via the silent auction.
COMING UP: Game two of this four game series will see RHP Luis Niebla (4-6, 4.99 ERA) start for Charleston and RHP Rafael Briceno (5-8, 6.34 ERA) throw for Rome on Saturday night at Riley Park with first pitched scheduled for 6:05. It's Roller Derby Night at The Joe! There will be roller derby-themed promotions throughout the night and the Lowcountry Highrollers team will be at the game. The RiverDogs will offer Baseball Bingo with a new twist to the classic game as it will be available to be downloaded as an app to your smartphone so you can follow the action and go for the win simultaneously via your mobile device. Fans can also enjoy craft beer specials that will be on tap including Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, Third Shift Amber Lager and more. The Blood Alliance team will be on-site from 4:30-7:30 pm and everyone who registers to donate will receive a FREE 4-pack of RiverDogs tickets. Plus, kids get the chance to have fun and run the bases after every Saturday home. Fans can purchase tickets atwww.riverdogs.com, over the phone at 843/723-7241, or in-person at the Riley Park Box Office. Fans may also listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE

Congratulations To Ivan Nova On His 1st Career Shutout


... and it could not have come at a better time for Yankees fans. 

Tyler Austin Activated from Disabled List

Tyler Austin Activated from Disabled List
All-Star OF has not appeared in Thunder game since July 12th
The Trenton Thunder, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced Saturday that outfielder Tyler Austin has been activated from the team's disabled list. He is expected to see his first action with the squad since July 12th in Saturday night's doubleheader at Portland.  
Austin, who turns 22 next week, has been on the Disabled List since July 13th with a right wrist injury. He missed the team's last 47 games. In 81 games played with Trenton this season, Austin has batted .254 with six home runs and 39 RBI.
Austin played in two rehab games with the GCL Yankees2 and batted 4-for-6 with a walk and a run scored. He was selected to the 2013 Eastern Division Mid-Season All-Star team in July.

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE.

New York Yankees Wild Card Update


Coming into the game this afternoon with Baltimore we start the day currently tied with the Cleveland Indians and within striking distance of the Orioles. It's hard to have a must win game in August but this is about as close as it is going to get. We need a win in the worst way to keep the pressure on the Oakland A's and Tampa Bay Rays who are playing head to head this weekend. 

Game Thread; Orioles @ Yankees 8/31


The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles play their second game of their three game set at Yankees Stadium this afternoon at 1:05 pm ET. The pitching match up is Ivan Nova for the Yankees and Scott Feldman for the Orioles and it can be seen on MLB Network, YES network, and MLB TV. Nova has been erratic his last couple of starts but has still given the Yankees every chance to win every time out there and at this point in the season that is all you can expect.

Here is the Yankees lineup
Brett Gardner CF
Derek Jeter SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Alfonso Soriano DH
Curtis Granderson LF
Mark Reynolds 3B
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Chris Stewart C


Follow us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes and get your Yankees Tickets for this game and every Yankees home game right here on The Greedy Pinstripes.

Ivan Nova New York Yankees Baseball Meme


This is surprisingly the only meme I could find on Ivan Nova... so yes I realize it does not really apply to what is going on but here it is anyway. 

Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees 8/31


The New York Yankees host the Baltimore Orioles in the second game of their three game set this weekend at Yankees Stadium. The Yankees will send their second best pitcher in Ivan Nova to the mound to face off with Scott Feldman for the Orioles. The game will be televised at 1:05 pm ET on the YES network, MLB Network, and MLB TV. The Yankees need to win all these games if they have a shot at making the playoffs by winning their division or winning one of the two wild cards so let's start this run now. Thank you in advance.

Keeping Up With The Teams In Front Of Us


The August trade deadline is today and I wanted to take the opportunity to look at what the teams we are chasing in the AL East and both wild card races are doing to improve while we are seemingly standing pat again. Now obviously we can make trades all the way through the end of the season but no one acquired after August 31st is eligible for the post season. With that said let's take a look at how the teams in front of us are stacking their rosters before it's too late.

The Cleveland Indians have traded for Jason Kubel after the Arizona Diamondbacks designated him for assignment. Cleveland just gave up a player to be named later in exchange for Kubel after he and his production fell off the table this season. Kubel fell off so much the D Backs are going to pay roughly $2,000,000 of his $2,270,000 left on his contract for this season.

The Oakland Athletics acquired catcher, and former A's player, Kurt Suzuki from the Washington Nationals to bolster their back stops. 

The Baltimore Orioles finally got their designated hitter when they acquired Mike Morse for Xavier Avery from the Seattle Mariners yesterday. They also claimed Josh Willingham, Kendrys Morales, and signed Dan Johnson from the Yankees. 

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired both Wesley Wright, Delmon Young, and David DeJesus in separate waiver deals this August. 

The Kansas City Royals and the Boston Red Sox swapped Quinton Berry to Boston for Clayton Mortenson to KC. The Red Sox did not have to do much anyway to stay on top of the division. 

The Yankees lost first base depth in Dan Johnson, lost infield depth while releasing Luis Cruz, lost outfield depth when they let Thomas Neal walk, and swapped power for average, defense, and more strike outs when they signed Mark Reynolds. It seems like all the teams ahead of the Yankees are looking to improve and give their team the best shot to make the playoffs where the Yankees are simply making the same mistake twice by standing pat with what we have. We quickly learned this season that this was not the best decision we made in the off season and it seems like we may be making the same mistake twice and I cannot say that I agree with it.

Game 135 Lineup: Orioles vs. Yankees

Yankees did a great job taking Game 1! Now let's take Game 2! Here's your starting lineup! 

Brett Gardner CF
Derek Jeter SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Alfonso Soriano DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Curtis Granderson LF
Mark Reynolds 1B
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chris Stewart C

RHP Ivan Nova

LINEUP CHANGE: 

Brett Gardner CF
Derek Jeter SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Alfonso Soriano DH
Curtis Granderson LF
Mark Reynolds 3B
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Chris Stewart C

RHP Ivan Nova

-- Alex Rodriguez has been scratched with the flu.

Parking May Be A Problem At Charleston Game Tonight

Media Advisory
Parking for Saturday’s Games at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park & Johnson Hagood Stadium
  
On Saturday, August 31, the Charleston RiverDogs host the Rome Braves at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park with a 6:05 pm first pitch while The Citadel hosts Charleston Southern in football at Johnson Hagood Stadium with a 6 pm kickoff.

RIVERDOGS PARKING
Public parking for the RiverDogs game will be in the first two MUSC lots on Lockwood Blvd., at Brittlebank Park, the Greenburg Police Station lot and the lot adjacent to Riley Park.  Parking for RiverDogs game will be $5, and signs will be posted accordingly.  Fans may find updates and additional information on the RiverDogs website and social media outlets.

CITADEL PARKING
Public parking for The Citadel game will be at the large MUSC lot on Fishburne Street, the two lots at the corner of Hagood Avenue and Fishburne Street.  Parking with appropriate passes from The Citadel Brigadier Foundation will be free while others in the MUSC lot on Fishburne Street will be $10.  ADA shuttles will be available to take mobility-challenged fans between the Fishburne Street lot and the stadium from 4:30pm until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game.  The shuttles’ routes will not include Riley Park or any of the baseball-designated lots.

Mark Reynolds vs. Lyle Overbay: Take Your Pick

[caption id="attachment_16490" align="aligncenter" width="604"]Coming into the stretch, would you put Mark Reynolds (pictured above) in the lineup, or Lyle Overbay? Coming into the stretch, would you put Mark Reynolds (pictured above) in the lineup, or Lyle Overbay?[/caption]

There's no denying two things:

1) Mark Reynolds is carrying a hot bat into this Baltimore Orioles series, having three hits last night and simply demolished the Toronto Blue Jays;  going 5-for-8 in his two games.

2) Lyle Overbay is seriously struggling coming into this series He hasn't had a hit since August 18 vs. the Boston Red Sox.

The way that it was designed since the New York Yankees had picked up Mark Reynolds was simple; Reynolds will hit vs. LHP and Lyle Overbay will hit vs. RHP. However, the stakes are high and the times have changed. The Yankees are fighting for the final WC spot (along with the Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics). They need the hottest bats in the lineup. They need Mark Reynolds. Reynolds is slowly forming back into his April form, hitting .319 in August. after having a sluggish May-July which ultimately caused him to lose his job with the Indians. Lyle Overbay however is hitting .231 in August and is 0-for his last-15.

If I'm the manager of the Yankees, Reynolds would be in the lineup today over Overbay. I like Lyle Overbay, I do--but this is a time where people's feelings can't get hurt. If you're not producing whether on the mound or at the plate, you're either getting pulled early or you're not getting the start. It's as simple as that. Right now, Overbay wouldn't get the start; Reynolds would. It sounds mean and sounds cruel but looking at numbers, that's how it would have to be done if the Yankees want to keep their playoff hopes alive. So take your pick, would you take Mark Reynolds...or Lyle Overbay going forward in this stretch?

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/31


On this day in 1997 the Yankees retired Don Mattingly's #23 jersey and placed a plaque in Monument Park for the former Yankees captain. Mattingly became the first Yankees player to have his number retired without having reached a World Series.


On this day in 2004 the Yankees had a day that they would like to forget when the Indians beat the Yanks 22-0. This would mark the largest deficit for the Yankees in a loss in their then 101 year history.