All Things Bubba

September 1, 2006: N.Y. Yankees 8, Minnesota 1

Looking at the weather report, I wasn't sure this game would be played. But it was, and it was an easy, even a slightly boring, game. The Yanks got ahead early, and pulled steadily away, cruising to an easy victory. The Twins never really threatened. In fact, they looked pretty inept, on offense and defense.

Aaron Guiel started at 1B and was lights-out on defense. Even though we got him as an outfielder, I think he's become the go-to defensive first baseman.

Offensively, he's probably best used in a platoon with Craig Wilson. He was 0 for 3 with a walk, even with a right-handed pitcher on the mound.

Mo was "unavailable" for the game. (Not that he'd be used in a game like this, anyway.) He's got some soreness in his arm, and they want to rest him. Shut him down for a week, I say. We've got a ton of pitchers now, with the expanded roster, and a solid lead in the division. We can and should rest Mo, probably the one truly irreplaceable member of the team.

Meanwhile, in Columbus...the Clippers went from not enough outfielders to too many, then back to not enough. Mitch Jones was DFA'd, Reese is out with a shoulder injury for the rest of the year, and Kevin Thompson is seriously ill with a staph infection. There are only three outfielders left on the roster now: Crosby, Long, and Sardinha. The Clippers sometimes use some of their infielders as outfielders, but still...only three outfielders is tight. There are only three games left to play, though, and Trenton is going to the playoffs, so they probably decided it wasn't worth calling anyone up.


The Clippers host the Mudhens again tonight. It's the last home game of the year. They posted a team photo on their Web site. I'm not sure if Bubba's even in it, but if it was taken the same day the Yankees took theirs, he should be. I recognized Aaron Small and Aaron Guiel in the photo. I think the guy in the front row at the far left of the photo might be Bubba, but the image quality is too poor to tell for certain.

The game starts at 7:05pm. Bubba is starting in CF (naturally - they don't have anyone else) and batting leadoff. Follow the game online here and/or listen to the radio broadcast here.