Yankees Bullpen Suddenly a Concern

Posted Oct 29, 2009 2:14AM By Ed Price (RSS feed)

NEW YORK -- Once upon a time -- say, two weeks ago -- the Yankees bullpen was so deep and effective that manager Joe Girardi couldn't resist going to reliever after reliever.

He did it again Wednesday in Game 1 of the World Series, but because he was looking for someone effective.

The five Yankees relievers who followed CC Sabathia combined to allow four runs in five hits and three walks in just two innings, putting a two-run game out of reach.

Pitching coach Dave Eiliand said he saw "a little timidness" from the group.

"I have a lot of confidence in our bullpen," Girardi said. "The walks hurt us. The first two walks hurt us. [Lefty Damaso] Marte came in and did a good job, [Dave] Robertson did OK."

Phil Hughes, though, has to be of most concern to the Yankees. After establishing himself as a dominant eighth-inning man during the regular season, he has melted in the playoffs.

Hughes walked the only two batters he faced after coming in to start Wednesday's eighth inning. In seven postseason appearances, he has given up nine hits and walked four over 4 2/3 innings, with a 9.64 ERA.

"He missed with his fastball a little bit tonight," Girardi said. "We'll continue to talk to him. I mean, he's been great for us all year. He walked two guys and ended up hurting us tonight, but we still believe in him."

Hughes left the clubhouse without granting interviews.

His earlier problems this postseason, the Yankees said, were the result of rushing his delivery. Hughes said earlier this week that was just something that happens to him from time to time and had nothing to do with the pressure of pitching in the postseason.

But Eiland said Wednesday's fiasco could have been the result of nerves.

"I think he was trying to be too fine. Instead of being in attack mode he was pitching, maybe -- I'll stop short of [saying] timid -- but he was trying to be too fine. It's just a mental thing. You have to attack. You have to attack and trust yourself.

"It's his first World Series game. Hopefully he got the jitters out tonight. ... We're not going to throw in the towel on him yet."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-29-2009 @ 5:29AM

Rick said...

Where's all the Yankee chatter? Spoiled bronx brats. Can't handle a little competition huh big shots? Who's ur Daddy is gonna put u to bed tonight! Rollin's is Carnac! ha ha Go Fightens... Now u'll comment bring it...

10-29-2009 @ 5:47AM

If this keeps up we might whoop u in 4 games. I don't think Jimmy would be upset if we beat the Stankee's and bring out the brooms. He may have been generous by predicting 5 games. Honestly The Phillies looked destined to me. We were inside CC's head early and never left. I hope he does pitch in game 4.. We love him! ha ha 3 games to go bring on Pedro. Ya think we could have a reinactment of Don zimmer charging the mound tonight? The best part is when Pedro moves out of the way and the fat man falls down... ha ha Did u know that even tho the Stankee's won 26 WS's the most ever. As a result of their numerous appearances (40) they also lost the most (13) The time for 14 is very near.

10-29-2009 @ 12:20PM

tonytiger18 said...

Wow, Rick, you are so full of your self.

How are you when you have your monthly therapy session with your mother?

Lee was great last night; CC was only very good.
Gloat all you want, your team was better last night.
But take it easy with your mental orgasms. Your mother might cut you off this month.

10-29-2009 @ 8:22AM

blakk73 said...

Yeah where are all the yankee trash talkers now!!! Your best pitcher got beat!!! As far as the yankee bullpen.....big concern!!! There young, and inexperienced. If Burnett and the yanks cant get a win tonight...its all over. It will end in Philly!!!!!!!!

10-29-2009 @ 10:54AM

Cleetus Awreetus said...

Major congratulations from the other side of the state. Since we do not have a baseball team here in Pittsburgh, I will cheer for a fellow home staters team and day yum, you have one heII of a strong ball club! Good luck and by all means, crush the life, hope and joy out of those snot brats from 'da Bronx'.

10-29-2009 @ 11:45AM

Theresa said...

listen you frillies fans 1 game we lost big deal the yankees will come back and when they do we will see who has the last laugh....by the way i live here in the city of brotherly love for 3 yrs im from NEW YORK......LETS GOOO YANKEES.....

10-29-2009 @ 3:52PM

SgtJoeFriday said...

Listen Theresa, the only reason The Stankees are in The World Series is that the umps helped them. They're not playing The Minnesota Twins. They're not playing The Los Angeles Angels Of Aneheim. They are playing the defending WORLD CHAMPION Philadelphia Phillies (a.k.a. The Red Scare). And don't forget, The Phillies won the regular season matchup against The Stankees.

10-29-2009 @ 2:17PM

aflorenzo27 said...

Face it Yankee fans, the Phillies are not the World Champs for nothing. Last night was only one game but it was the first game of the series. Over the last 6 WS the team who wins game one normally goes on to win the series. Not that this is a lock but all you front running Yankee fans think that the team on the field now is the best baseball team in the history of the game. Let me remind you that the Yankees have not won the WS in a loooooong time. So get over yourselves and realize that the Yankees are a very good team but the team in red is also very good and also the WS champs.

10-29-2009 @ 2:20PM

Well put Rick. They are a bunch of over confident morons that do all the talking and no backing it up. The Yankees are facing a much better team than their EGOs would allow them to think. Phillies in 5 or 6 and if they happen to win tonight it will be 4 or 5. Spoiled NY babies!

10-29-2009 @ 4:21PM

wheels said...

This yankee ballclub does not have that step on your kneck mindset. The teams from the late 90s were very edgey & you could feel & see that. Last nights game they seemed very timid uptight & no care in the world. What are they waiting for babe ruth, whitey ford & thurman munsan to come into the game & help them!!! We have so many people out of work, lets switch for a yr with the same pay scale & lets see if that puts fire under their butts!!!! The players of today make too much $$$$ & they dont show a daily attitude with pride... Its only a game but man i can think of my helping out family members for the next 3 generation with the $$$ they are making. No pride & i see the phillies beating the yanks in 6 games if not 5. Prove me wrong bronx bombers...????

10-29-2009 @ 4:39PM

nickcherryl said...

Put AROD on the bench, the guy is full of himself, I think the dumb slugs on the YANKEES were reading too much BS put out by liberal ass holes like KEVIN BLACKSTONE.

10-29-2009 @ 5:00PM

MrSensous1 said...

Lee was very very good last night but he cant pitch 7 games yanks in 6 then we will see whos crying

10-29-2009 @ 5:02PM

rushbandfan2112 said...

The Yankees lost the first 2 games at home of the 1996 World Series against a Braves team which was much better than this Phillies team. The Yankees will win tonight and make it a series. The Phillies are a good team but in the end, the Yankees will prevail. Don't jump of the bandwagon yet you wannabees.

10-29-2009 @ 5:41PM

psu74dl said...

They play a 7 game series in the world series don't they?? 1 victory and they think they won it all. I am sitting here laughing because the Philly fans are the most hateful people if their team loses to their own team. Take for example McNabb this guy is one of the most talented players in the league and when he is winning games the Feables fans are saying how great he is but if he loses 1 game they want them to trade or cut himn from the team. Right now they have a talented team but if Victorino has an error or goes 0-4 in game 6 when the Yankees win it all they will burn his house down. When the series is over come on here and say how great your team is but to do it after game 1 is a joke. The Yankees will win it all and when they do the Philly fans can go back to booing Santa...