June 25, 2006: Florida 5, N.Y. Yankees 0
Last night was one of the "bug" times. The Yanks were blanked for the first time this season. They were the last MLB team to have never been shut out, so I guess it had to happen sometime. Still...what an ugly game.
Bubba started in center because Joe didn't want Johnny Damon playing two games in one day. Unfortunately, that meant Giambi couldn't DH, and that came back to bite us. He made two errors at 1B that gave away three runs. Andy Phillips should be our starting first baseman. Giambi's defense, never great, is noticeably declining:
YEAR ERRORS
2002 4
2003 4
2004 4
2005 7
2006 7 (so far)
He's 35 years old. It's not going to get any better.
Bubba's first at bat was in the second inning. He came up with two outs, no one on. And he was swinging for the fences. A 600' homerun swing. He ended up flying out. "A homerun in an elevator," really high but shallow. The fielders not only had time to set up underneath it, they could have pitched a tent, started a campfire, and roasted a few marshmallows while they waited.
Some fans were irate that he didn't just try to get on base, but with two outs and Stinnett coming up, I really can't blame him.
He was the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the 5th, and did much better. Hit a single to RF and got on base. Unfortunately, no one could move him over, let alone get him home. Stinnett, no one expected much from. But Damon and Jeter also flied out. Good gravy. Speedy Bubba gets on base, with no outs and the top of the order coming up...and he gets stranded on first? Sad.
He had a ground out in the 7th and a strikeout in the 9th, but by then, it was pretty clear the game was out of reach. (Thanks a lot, Giamb-E.)
Perhaps the worst moment of the game was when Robby Cano pulled his hamstring running out a double. He was limping a lot worse than Bubba was when Bubba strained his hamstring. No decision yet about whether he'll be DLed or not. The injuries this year have been just unbelievable. :-(
Bubba is in RF again tonight. Andy is at 1B, Giambi is DHing, and Bernie is riding pine. Yay. My kind of lineup. Except Miggy in for Cano, which can't be helped. (Though why he's in the two-hole is another question.)
And today is Derek Jeter's birthday. Happy Birthday, Cap!
