FInal Score in the Bronx: Angels 3, Yankees 5
In the top of the 7th inning there were 2 on and nobody our when Chone Figgins went up to the plate. It was a 3-2 Ballgame and the momentum had clearly swung to the Angels.
With the count 2-0, Home plate Umpire Derryl Cousins called two painfully obvious balls as strikes and called a third strike looking soon afterward on what should have been a textbook bases on balls.
If you think the steroid scandal was bad, wait until on of MLB's umpires gets caught having thrown games, and in NYC, the capital of homoerotic mobster chic, who else do the wise guys buy off but the umpires?
Unless, of course, it is Bud Selig and MLB greenlighting a ratings-fest in October...
There was a playoff atmosphere at the house that Roids built as a possible ALCS playoff matchup was everything it had been advertised as. Jered Weaver was great and his only mistakes were to ex-Angel Mark Teixeira, who watched his replacement Kendry Morales choked in the clutch while he "earned his pinstripes" yet again. It was a dramatic and close matchup made all the more frustrating by Derryl Cousins probably paying off some huge debt to some goon somewhere. Too bad MLB has flushed its integrity down the television ratings toilet.
Vladimir Guerrero had a solo HR for the Angels, but the other two ribbies for the Halos were on a weak groundout (productive out) and a double play with the bases loaded. Not exactly the stuff that postseason dreams are made of...
0 recs | 101 comments
sigh...
vlad IS my man - September 14, 2009
K Mo had two HUGE chances and blew them...
forget the crappy or not so crappy throw by Naps. A hit by Kmo in either situation would’ve of at least put this game into extra innings…
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - September 14, 2009
He did tie the game
TheAntiSox - September 14, 2009
With bases loaded and nobody out
I expect more than a double play ball.
halofan4life - September 14, 2009
True
But cmon. He doesn’t make too many mistakes.
TheAntiSox - September 14, 2009
He might not make too many mistakes,
but if ever there was a time to not make one, that was it.
halofan4life - September 14, 2009
Believe or not
This game wasn’t as crucial as people think. We’re still leading by 6 games.
I don’t see the HUGE deal about that game. We still have a series to play against them in a couple weeks.
That wasn’t as big of a deal as people are making it out to be.
TheAntiSox - September 14, 2009
for some reason
it just seems like a bigger loss than that. I agree with your logic, but the emotions are tearing me up.
Rev Halofan - September 14, 2009
Figgins didn't do anything but fail
TheAntiSox - September 14, 2009
actually he walked with one of the best releivers in the game hurling at him...
and two outs and all of yankee stadium yelling…
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - September 14, 2009
Even he thought he struck out on the 2-2 pitch
Brody - September 14, 2009
I double checked the box score, looks like he walked.
OntariGro - September 14, 2009
came back and fixed things...
like a seasoned vet should. Also, that 2-2 call was BS.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - September 14, 2009
he also saved a run for us, by getting that interefernce call
robi s - September 14, 2009
you mean he ran to field the ball like he should have and the runner ran into him…hardly a heads-up play!
K3YEROUT - September 14, 2009
i dunno man
it definitely looked like he ran into cabrera on purpose there.. i agree it was a heads up play..
b0rd3rline - September 15, 2009
Up quick today!
scottnak - September 14, 2009
KubanKowbell19
Should be ashamed he got points for betting against Kowbell.
Figgi4life - September 14, 2009 via mobile
There's probably a better BOG ..
but Juan has been unbelievably shitty, sans throwing arm. I wouldn’t mind seeing more GMJ.
I feel dirty.
clover_black - September 14, 2009
Oh wow.
I can’t endorse. this message
shiftyeyedgoat - September 14, 2009
im 8 beers deep.
clover_black - September 14, 2009
Too many tough games left to blow games like this.
We OWN the Skanks. We screwed ourselves tonight.
chairmanofthebar - September 14, 2009
We lost this game,
they didn’t win it.
shiftyeyedgoat - September 14, 2009
I forgot.
Is it a sprint or a marathon?
Figgi4life - September 14, 2009 via mobile
its a marathon
but at the end of any race you always sprint to the finish line lol
devildogamp - September 14, 2009
neither?
clover_black - September 14, 2009
I'm pretty worried about those 7 games we have left against Texas.
chairmanofthebar - September 14, 2009
Texas is losing to Choakland 7-0 in the 8th inning...
…don’t worry too much.
sothball - September 14, 2009
9-0
And the lameass Texas Rangers channel is advertising playoff tix. LOL!
Brody - September 14, 2009
And Feldman started this game for Tejas.
sothball - September 14, 2009
Them losing this game is a gift
And I will take it.
Brody - September 14, 2009
We are due to own them
Brody - September 14, 2009
in more positive news....
Vlad had a GREAT game.
yeswecan - September 14, 2009
yea, it was a great way to start the game for us, i thought it was gonna bea good night
robi s - September 14, 2009
Vlad is going to warm up because Texas is on the schedule...
continue the ownage…
K3YEROUT - September 15, 2009
IF there is a time to slump offensively,
it’s now.
But hopefully we find that stroke again before October.
shiftyeyedgoat - September 14, 2009
This slump is like 3 weeks long.
Give or take a few games.
chairmanofthebar - September 14, 2009
Then we have two choices:
1) We regain that stroke just as the post-season starts.. or
2) There is no hope and we lose the final 15 games.
I’m going to put money on us not sucking for 2 more weeks straight.
Either way, we’re above .500 already and have already overachieved.
shiftyeyedgoat - September 14, 2009
I'm just frustrated.
This is kind of the way the Angels have been playing in the post season for the last few years.
chairmanofthebar - September 14, 2009
So? Good thing this isn't the postseason, then, isn't it?
Let’s hope they figure their shit out and get hot again just in time for October!
Clutch - September 14, 2009
Figgy
The missed catch in the 8th was bad on its own, but the 0-4 night and the failure to even swing in the 7th are the icing on this failure. Kendry did crap the bed in a couple big opportunities, but Figgy takes this one easily.
Brody - September 14, 2009
I'm not to pissed because
we gave this game away on a silver platter. The Skanks didn’t beat us so I’m not to upset.
angelskid2210 - September 14, 2009
Mice Tits
0 for 5, 3 LOB & 2 RISP were a killer
Quad Fin Rider - September 14, 2009
Yeah he was terrible
Brody - September 14, 2009
FIGGY
That was so E5 it was pathetic. Catch that ball and the runner slides right into your glove. Napoli could not have made a better throw!
K3YEROUT - September 14, 2009
He looked afraid of Gardner's slide on that play.
halofan4life - September 14, 2009
i wonder if they will change the call from e2 to e5
salmonforever - September 14, 2009
Kendry Morales sucked the big one today, so unclutch.
44FAN - September 14, 2009
Figgy was afraid of the runner
TheAntiSox - September 14, 2009
Hey at least it looks like Texas is losing tonight...
Monkeyspanked - September 14, 2009
Why so many votes for Kendry?
It was a bad doubleplay with bases loaded and none out, but he did go 1-4. Hitters typically failure 70% or more of the time. I think there were others more deserving of blame in this game.
Brody - September 14, 2009
A hitter who fails 70% of the time is shitty.
snowhor - September 14, 2009
That hitter has a .300 batting average
Brody - September 14, 2009
and a couple hrs
figgifig - September 14, 2009
I was speaking of a hypothetical hitter who fails 70% of the time
Brody - September 14, 2009
unless your talking about plate appearances
rather than ab’s.
dmhead - September 15, 2009
duh guess I coulda kept reading...
dmhead - September 15, 2009
Really a .300 hitter is shitty??
Thats a new one
angelskid2210 - September 14, 2009
I miss the days when we had nine shitty hitters in the lineup
Quad Fin Rider - September 14, 2009
We all do
The offense has been in a tailspin, but I am encouraged by the fact that Vlad, Abreu, and Torii had some good at-bats today. I think the others will follow if they lead the way.
Brody - September 14, 2009
I guess since our whole team is hitting .290
we are under achieving
angelskid2210 - September 14, 2009
I guess since the whole team hasn't hit .290
in almost three weeks now they must be underachieving
Quad Fin Rider - September 14, 2009
Didn't say a .300 hitter is shitty, just a 70% fail rate is.
snowhor - September 14, 2009
A .300 hitter fails 70% of the time.
angelskid2210 - September 14, 2009
A .300 hitter can fail 70% of the time, but he shouldn't.
snowhor - September 14, 2009
And if he does, he's not a useful mlb hitter.
snowhor - September 14, 2009
Wait let me get this straight...
you’re saying a .300 hitter in the MLB is worthless?? What do you want everybody to hit .400 oh and they still fail 60% of the time!!
angelskid2210 - September 14, 2009
No, the average mlb fail rate is 66%.
Don’t get all Mickey Hatcher on us and call walks failures. If you’re a .300 hitter and your OBP is .300, giving you a 70% fail rate, you are a below average mlb hitter.
snowhor - September 14, 2009
Well see you didn't add the walk thing in there.
You’re stating just a .300 hitter is worthless. But now it makes more sense.
angelskid2210 - September 14, 2009
No, this little chain started with my objecting to the notion that a good hitter fails 70% of the time.
Others threw out the number .300. I only said a .300 hitter is not good if he has a 70% fail rate.
snowhor - September 14, 2009
Whatever
Our offense isn’t getting it done NOW. Chances are things will improve before the postseason, but that’s not too comforting right now.
rspencer - September 14, 2009
The mlb average fail rate is 66%.
Don’t get all Mickey Hatcher on us and call walks failures.
snowhor - September 14, 2009
yeah
i’d prefer a hitter who succeeds 30% of the time..
b0rd3rline - September 14, 2009
Napoli shouldnt be on here, if anything tori hunter deserves to be on here more than naps. Not saying it was hunters fault since it was a crazy hard play, but if he makes that catch, its still 2-1.
Chone shouldnt be on here, not his fault the ump was blind, plus he got that get interference call!
I voted for Kmo, but thats just cuz im so used to him coming up big
robi s - September 14, 2009
Nap's throw was where it should have been.
Figgy misplayed it
halofan4life - September 14, 2009
Agreed
Gorbachav5 - September 14, 2009
if i were cousins. . .
i’s sue your ass all the way thru bankruptcy court.
you moron.
NYer in a strange land - September 14, 2009
He said probably, not that he did it.
snowhor - September 14, 2009
okay mr. troll
you moron
b0rd3rline - September 14, 2009
You may not be cousins
but I bet you’re your own grandfather.
rspencer - September 14, 2009
Free speech
bruise it or lose it.
Rev Halofan - September 14, 2009
Ok, so I did not get to watch the game, but I did read the game threads.
And I did read how everybody went ballistic with the Figgy at-bat. So I went to Gameday to see what the radar said. Here is the Figgy AB.
Now, according to this, those three called strikes were in whatever was being called the strike zone. Your mileage may differ. As I said, I did not see this myself. But pay close attention to pitches #3 and #4:
Now, here is Izturis. The very next batter. Same computer. Same radar. Same umpire. Literally minutes apart. Notice pitches #2 and #3. Compare those with #3 and #4 for Figgy:
Say what you will about how accurate the computer zone matches the actual location of strike zone in the real world, but nobody can argue the incredible inconsistency here. Pitches 2 & 3 to Izzy are SUPERIOR locations than pitches 3, 4 or 5 to Figgy. But Izzy’s pitches were called BALLS, whereas the poorer locations were called STRIKES.
Stirrups - September 14, 2009
The worst part was
Weaver was not getting that call. Strike zone was incredibly inconsistent.
Gorbachav5 - September 14, 2009
P.S. - As far as I can tell...
Cousins has been the plate ump for 3 Yankee games in 2009.
April 28, 2009: Yankees 11, Detroit 0
August 6, 2009: Yankees 13, Red Sox 6
September 14, 2009: Yankees 5, Angels 3
Overall: Yankees 29, Opponents 9
Just sayin’…
Stirrups - September 14, 2009
Although correlation does not equate to causation,
Given your Gameday post above is in conjunction with this, I am inclined to agree there is something fishy going on here. I wonder if we can get a Gameday recap for all of those games and look at the calls to see if there’s, in some sense, consistent inconsistency? Not that I’m asking you to do it, just that it would be an interesting study—and then if something DID show up through that, send it to sympathetic writers at, say, SI or even Mike DiGiovanni and see what happens!*
*Probably jack squat, but still…
Clutch - September 14, 2009
Meh....
The OP is a good example of terrible inconsistency on Cousins’ part, but not of any kind of conspiracy. He should’ve called the pitches to Izturis strikes, just like the two to Figgins were.
As for 11-0 and 13-6 wins, how do you suggest the umpire could have affected that? Calling an inside strike a ball is hardly worth 13 runs.
UnabashedYank - September 15, 2009
Just looked up the Tigers and the Red Sox games
Each of them had a crooked inning.
In the Tigers game, Edwin Jackson threw six scoreless innings. In the 7th, with the bullpen taking over, the Yankees scored 10 times, including a Jose Molina grand slam. Additionally, there were 5 (!) walks in the inning, aiding the Yankees cause. On four of the five walks, there was at least ONE pitch that should have been called a strike; in Derek Jeter’s walk, one could argue that three of the four pitches called balls could have been called strikes. The Tigers relievers included Robertson and Lyon, who suck.
In the Red Sox game, John Smoltz and others allowed an 8 run 4th inning. Again, there were some questionable ball/strike calls, most noticably to Nick Swisher. To be fair, though, it appeared that Smoltz didn’t have it that day.
My conclusion: Cousin Derryl didn’t GIVE the Yankees these wins, but he certainly has a questionable strike zone. Which, in a big game, could determine victory or defeat.
johnnyangel101 - September 15, 2009
Whoa whoa whoa
Who’s laying blame on Napoli? I’m a pretty big Figgins homer, but that error was NOT Napoli’s fault. Figgins should have caught it. He even looked at his glove in disbelief afterwards. Scioscia was glaring over at third base. Napoli knew it was a good throw. If Figgins doesn’t over-run the base, he catches the ball, tags Gardner for the second out and Oliver finishes it off. Blame goes to Figgins.
Gorbachav5 - September 14, 2009
this.
right here.
howiestheman - September 15, 2009
Napoli you've been fucking up.
R.Munkee your a idiot for thinking Napoli would be better at DH than Vlad. Not only has Napoli had time to become a decent catcher but hes a worse hitter than Vlad, keep on dick riding Napoli…
SenorChuckles - September 14, 2009
Why??
johnnyangel101 - September 15, 2009
nice post
-1 (although, I do agree with the point you are making, the way you went about it was pretty raw)
Downing Rules - September 15, 2009
well I'm not a classy guy.
SenorChuckles - September 15, 2009
A agree that Cousins and Eddings are asses...
but why is it every time we lose somebody blames the umps?
Yes, the Figgy calls were bad, but we had chances to win this game and we failed. We didn’t get the clutch hits when we needed them, plain and simple.
KingF15h - September 15, 2009
+1
Bad umping is not the excuse here.
It’s all right. We’ll take care of the Yanks come playoff time. If we can just get past them darn Red Sox.
Downing Rules - September 15, 2009
Figgins is an easy out when batting from the right side
Sure those were questionable strikes, but just about anything not down the middle balls high is questionable.
You gotta swing the bat, and stop pretending you are Bobby Abreu.
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - September 15, 2009
Figgins is totally to blame. he let that ball go by him. Napoli did not even bounce it.
KubanKowbell19 - September 15, 2009
Umpire strike call
How about the lousy strike called on Matsui in the bottom of the 8th. The YES replay showed that the location of the pitch was almost a foot outside. Nice play by Figgins on Gardner’s steal of third. He is a free agent next year, the Yankees have him in their sights but he would have to play left field. He could never move AROD off of 3rd Base.
GSauerJr - September 15, 2009
Umps had the under at 9 runs...
couldn’t allow another. ;)
Downing Rules - September 15, 2009
Cousins and Umpires in general
As a former player – this happens all the time. Cousins has always had it out for the Angels and the Rangers. I frankly don’t trust that Major League Baseball isn’t behind who wins and who loses. Afterall – in football season it is all about TV ratings and money!
Footballer - September 15, 2009
For the record, Cousins was behind the plate during the 2002 playoffs between the Halos and Yankees.
Halos won.
Stirrups - September 15, 2009
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