April 10th Yankees @ Twins

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

New York (3-3) at Minnesota (4-2), Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. ET


LHP Andy Pettitte (0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP Boof Bonser (0-0, 3.00 ERA)

Pettitte tries to rediscover rhythm
New York (3-3) at Minnesota (4-2), Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. ET
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

Andy Pettitte made a bonus surprise appearance on Sunday at Yankee Stadium, receiving a warm ovation on a chilly day, but his inning of relief was less about pleasing the faithful and more about helping to bail out a beleaguered bullpen.
He'll attempt to keep the relievers rested again on Tuesday at the Metrodome, as he makes his second start of the season for the Yankees.

"He looks like he's pretty confident with where the ball's going," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Is the result going to be where you want it to be? We'll just have to wait and see."

The 34-year-old left-hander worked just four-plus innings in his Yankees return against the Devil Rays last week, leading him to offer his availability to Torre over the weekend.

Torre said that Pettitte's ninth career relief appearance -- made in lieu of a scheduled bullpen session -- may have been a useful tuneup after Pettitte missed time this spring due to back spasms.

"He may have needed that," Torre said. "He was kind of behind in Spring Training, so any kind of work he gets [is good]. All pitchers are creatures of habit, but in Andy's case, he's been around long enough to know that he knows what's good for him. I think that helps a great deal."

Pitching matchup
NYY: LHP Andy Pettitte (0-0, 3.60 ERA)
Pettitte will make his first start at the Metrodome since April 19, 2003, and the 16th of his career. Pettitte will be seeking his 150th career victory as a Yankee, and he is 7-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 17 career starts against the Twins.

MIN: RHP Boof Bonser (0-0, 3.00 ERA)
The Twins want to see Bonser work on pitching to contact a bit more and relying on his defense, rather than his penchant for striking out batters. He'll try to do that in his first career start against the Yankees.

Player to watch
Pettitte hasn't seen much of the Twins' lineup, though he's fared pretty well against Torii Hunter, who is 5-for-20 (.250) with a double and six RBIs in his career against the left-hander.

Bonser out to build on debut
New York (3-3) at Minnesota (4-2), 7:10 p.m. CT
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com

There's nothing better for a player than to arrive at the big leagues and immediately see your name penciled in the lineup.
That is the situation that awaits outfielder Josh Rabe on Tuesday. The Twins purchased Rabe's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Monday after placing outfielder Rondell White on the 15-day disabled list.

After Monday's loss to the Yankees, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that he plans to start Rabe upon his arrival, as he could use Rabe's right-handed bat with Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte taking the mound.

The Twins saw their starting pitching falter for the first time this season in Monday's loss to the Yankees. Now, the club will look to Boof Bonser to get things back on the right track.

With two straight victories, the Twins would secure a series win over the Yankees at the Metrodome for the fourth consecutive season.


Pitching matchup
MIN: RHP Boof Bonser (0-0, 3.00 ERA)
Bonser's first test of the season showed his youth. He appeared to labor through the early part of his start against the Orioles, throwing 60 pitches through three innings, but he was able to cruise through his final two innings on only 20 pitches. The Twins want to see the big right-hander work on pitching to contact a bit more and relying on his defense, rather than his penchant for striking out batters. He'll need to do that in his first career start against the Yankees.

NYY: LHP Andy Pettitte (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
Andy Pettitte worked four-plus innings on Thursday night in his first start back with the Yankees after a three-year hiatus in Houston. He gave up six hits and four runs (two earned) against the Devil Rays while striking out two and walking three. The veteran southpaw started the game with temperatures dipping to the 30s, and he had some communication problems with catcher Jorge Posada. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said that Pettitte pitched well but had to come out of the game because of his pitch count. Pettitte is 7-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 17 career starts against the Twins.

Player to watch
Despite going 0-for-3 against the Yankees on Monday night, Justin Morneau holds a career batting average of .305 (18-for-59) with four home runs and four doubles against the club. Last season against New York, Morneau hit .458 with eight RBIs in six games.

[schillingouttheks]

the Mojo is interrupted! Baseball Gods, please take out your anger on the Yankees today.

Seriously though, Bonser vs. Pettite could be fun to watch.

[Optimist]

I don't know how I can root against a guy named Boof...I'll find a way by tonight.

[jacksonianmarch]

Pettitte will recover his mojo with a quality start and a victory.

[jacksonianmarch]

lets get it on!!

[yeszir]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

lets get it on!!

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Originally Posted by yeszir

[jacksonianmarch]

Top 1st

Bonser to face Damon, Jeter, Abreu to start.

First pitch heat outside corner. Second pitch curve outside. 1-. Damon tees off, but lines out to CF. 1 down

Jeter to the dish, 1 down, nobody on. .346BA to this point. Jeter swings through 94mph heat up and away, 0-1. 93 mph heat fouled off down the 3rd base line. 0-2. Jeter fouls the 94mph fastball back. Stays alive. Jeter stings one the other way through the hole to the right, single.

Jeter on 1st, 1 out, Abreu to the dish. Abreu pops up the 95mph heat, left fielder Rabe makes the play. Rare first pitch out for Bobby. 2 down.

Jeter on 1st, 2 down, ARod to the dish. ARod takes the curve out and low, 1-0. 94mph fastball just misses down and in, 2-0. 92mph fastball down the middle, 2-1. Jeter bluffs but doesnt go, ARod takes the curve in the dirt, 3-1. Boof's curve is nice. ARod swings and misses at a worm burner down and away, 3-2. Jeter will be going. GONE!!! AROD IS ONE FUCKING FIRE!!!! That was a fucking BOMB. Left field, way fucking back. Yankees lead 2-0.

Giambi to the plate, nobody on, 2 outs. Fouls off the first, takes the second up and in. Borderline pitch called a strike up and in. 1-2. Giambi takes the slider down and in. 2-2. Bonser misses high, full count. Giambi grounds one sharply into the shift. Inning over.

2 runs, 2 hits, nobody left. Yankees lead, 2-0.

[One Red Seat]

I hope this is somehow cathartic for you, Jacko, because it is annoying as hell.

[jacksonianmarch]

Bottom 1st

Andy Pettitte to face Castillo, Punto, and Mauer. Pettitte had trouble with locating the offspeed stuff in his last start. Lets see if he can locate it in the controlled environment of the dome.

I did it yesterday and we won. I'll do it till we lose, so long as my fingers stay on.

Fastball misses high to Castillo, 1-0. Fastball down the middle, 1-1. YES turned off the gun again. Jerks. Curve down and in, 2-1. 89mph fastball hits the outside corner, 2-2. DIRTY slider, swing and a miss. Strikeout.

1 down, nobody on, Punto takes the plate. Fastball misses high. 1-0. 88mph heater hits the outside corner, 1-1. 90mph fastball fouled down the first base line. 1-2. Pettitte jams Punto, fouled off. Curve just misses down, 2-2. 91mph heat fouled off to the right side. Dirty curve just tipped and Posada couldnt hold on. 90mph on the outside corner, emergency hacked to Minky, 2 away.

Mauer to the plate, 2 down, nobody on. 90mph fastball on the outside corner. 0-1. Pettitte misses low with a 91mph fastball. 91mph fastball, dont know where that misses, that was called a ball. Mauer chops one to Cano.

0 hits, 0 runs, nobody left on. Yankees lead, 2-0.

[yankees228]

Originally Posted by One Red Seat

I hope this is somehow cathartic for you, Jacko, because it is annoying as hell.

lol, if the Yankees started to lose it probably wouldn't be annoying for you guys anymore.

[Coco's Disciples]

A Rod is so money right now, it's ridiculous.

[One Red Seat]

It's got nothing to do with the result. I can see the results on Gameday or mlb.tv. I find it annoying for people to do play by play on the board. But, if it helps you get through the day to think that's the cause, then have at it.

[yankees228]

Originally Posted by One Red Seat

It's got nothing to do with the result. I can see the results on Gameday or mlb.tv. I find it annoying for people to do play by play on the board. But, if it helps you get through the day to think that's the cause, then have at it.

Yeah, well, I was kidding. Bad joke I guess.

[jacksonianmarch]

as far as being annoying, kilo pointed out my old posting habits in that I had something like 90-100 posts in a game thread. This minimizes that.