October 6, 2007
Last Night's Action: Big Trouble In Yankeeland
- Cleveland 2 Yankees 1 (11 innings): Baseball has had many weird games and plays in its history, but it is hard to think of a more bizarre scene than Jacobs Field in the eighth inning last night. Swarms of mayflies descended on the stadium, disrupting play and perhaps affecting Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain, called in to protect a 1-0 lead in the seventh was swamped by the insects and suffered an uncharacteristic bout of wildness. Two walks, two wild pitches and a hit batter were part of an inning that saw Cleveland tie the game against Joba.
And, that was devastating for the Yankees because their bats have been extinguished by great pitching by the Indians. Fausto Carmona was amazing, allowing three hits over nine innings and Rafael Perez dominated the Yankees for a second night. When the Yankees used up Joba and Mo it was only a matter of time. Luis Vizcaino walked the leadoff batter and after the bases were loaded, Travis Hafner lined a 3-2 pitch for a single and the game-winner.
So, New York returns home down 0-2 and hitting .121 for the series. They have until Sunday night at 6:30 to find some answers.
- Islanders 6 Sabres 4: Mike Comrie had a huge debut for New York scoring two goals and assisting on two others as the Islanders came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to ultimately prevail.
Photograph of Jorge Posada applying bug spray to relief pitcher Mariano Rivera during the 9th inning by Amy Sancetta/AP
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Yeah, that mayfly thing is one of the craziest things I've seen happen during a game. Seems like they were at their worst when Joba was on the mound, too, so he definitely got the worst of it. I think it's funny, though, considering how focused he is, that it ended up "getting" to him ore than anyone else. Maybe we can chalk it up to a lack of experience?
Thanks for nothing, April-Rod.
Don't lay it all on A-Rod's feet. Over the last two games, all of the Yankees have had trouble getting hits. If everyone but A-Rod is scoring, no one complains about him. Then, as soon as the rest of the team goes cold, everyone blames him for the lack of production. That's ridiculous. The Yanks got out-pitched, end of story.
I can't stand this about Yankee fans. If Jeter clams up at the plate, or Torre makes a stupid decision, no fan can be heard griping about it. Why A-Rod, one of the most talented people to play the game in recent years has been singled out as the scapegoat for all Yankee inadequacy over the last few years, is truly beyond me. Frankly, they are lucky to have him, and if he opts out of his contract at the end of the year, you'll all be sorry that he went within the first few weeks of next season.
pizplzthx
Why is Gothamist reporting the infestation as mayflies and most other sources calling them gnats?
All I could think as Joba was melting down was "why aren't they stopping this game?" What we were watching was NOT baseball but some sort of jungle survival game. The umpiring staff should have stopped the game and either had the grounds crew come on and apply some kind of repellent or wait until the players could play without distraction.
I was also watching Joe in the dugout and could only compare him to the parent who stands idly by while his kid is getting beat up. If Joba had injured himself, he would have been out there. How was this infestation any different? He couldn't concentrate, he couldn't pitch.
Sunday night, I'll be happily watching Nicole Kidman in Margot at the Beach. I'm sure, at the conclusion of the film, I find out that the Yankees' season is over. Another world-class fizzle.
Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Yankees Lose !
Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Yankees Lose !
Famdoc
I reported mayflies because during the game TBS' sideline reporter said he had been told by stadium officials that the infestation was from "canadian soldiers" which is another term for mayflies. It certainly could have been gnats, all I know is it was bizzare.
Unfrickenbelievable.
Bizarre, yes. And, I believe as much a cause for halting play as a lightning storm or an earthquake.
Perhaps the Yanks would have lost anyway (ARod, Posada, Matsui 0-for-a zillion), but at least we would have seen baseball. Every shot of Torre in the dugout during the attack showed a resigned, almost indifferent man. I am profoundly disappointed in his response to Joba's crisis.
Oh, and that film is Margot at the Wedding. Guess I was thinking I'd rather see its star at the beach.
I'm convinced that Boot Strap Bill Belichick sent those gnats to the game.
Ok, but a-rod is currently 0-17 in this post season.
Oh, and they also said on YES that they were Mayflies.
Most of the game was bug-free. Look to THREE hits as the blame for the loss.
I love it how everyone it making it seem like the Yankees somehow had to deal with the bugs more so than the Indians did.
Whiny Yankee fans! Flies won't bother you if you are worthy of winning the World Series. Real champions will find a way to play through distractions.
they should have stopped the game
Thanks for nothing, April-Rod.
Other guys who haven't gotten a hit yet: Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui.
Everyone else: one hit.
Yup, all on A-Rod. Enjoy Wilson Betemit next year.
it was a wild ptch in the 8th that lost the game, not a-rod.
The curse that descended upon the Yankees when they bought The Cooler (Pay-Rod) and then had the greatest collapse in the history of beisbol: the ALCS 2004, is alive and well. Only with a curse do swarms of insects descend on the field with Joba on the mound. I'm so glad this curse is no longer with the beloved sox!!!!
The skankees are going down....bbbbbwwaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahaha
a-rod receives a shit load more money than most, if not all, the other players, so, of course, correctly or not, the fans will lay more blame in him in the hopes of getting more bang for their/steinbrenner's buck.
Given his season and his contract, April-Rod does indeed take on the burden of more responsibility.
I hope the people at Chicagoist enjoy him.
Something has to be done with the Yankees offense.
Islanders are looking good! How about that?
Swarms of bugs appearing out of nowhere in Cleveland? They don't call it "the mistake on the lake" for nothing.
What a fantastic game to watch (the Boston/Angels game was also excellent). Lots of tension, lots of weirdness with the bugs, and best of all, the Yankees losing in extra innings after adding more wear and tear to their bullpen!
Also, I completely disagree that the game should've been stopped. Everyone else was dealing with the bugs, including the Indians' pitchers. It's up to Joba to not get riled by them (or up to Joe "I do a fantastic impression of a bored statue ... watch!" Torre to take him out).