Thursday, June 6, 2013

Return Of Teix & Youkilis Bringing The Return Of Patience

(Welcome back, Mr. Teck-SHARE-uh.  Courtesy of Getty Images)

The Yankees are 4-2 since getting Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis back in the lineup last Friday.  Had the weather cooperated, who knows if they had a comeback in them on Sunday.  That return came at the end of one of the worst stretches of offensive baseball we've seen from any Yankee team in some time, and not so coincidentally the presence of Teix and Youkilis has led to a return to form for a lineup that had become way too impatient.

Who Is Dietrich Enns?

(Courtesy of MiLB.com)

His name makes him sound like a James Bond villain hellbent on world domination, but in reality Dietrich Enns is actually a potential hidden gem from the 2012 Yankee draft class.  He was drafted in the 19th round out of Central Michigan University and has been absolutely tearing it up this season in Low-A Charleston.  With the 2013 draft starting tonight, it seems like the perfect time to catch people up on Enns, who some might have missed from last year.  In an organization known for its ability to find and develop solid relief pitching, Enns is already making a case to be put on the radar.

Game 59 Wrap-Up: NYY 6 CLE 4

(Courtesy of Getty Images)

Not a bad little situation for the Yankees to be in looking to close out a sweep yesterday afternoon.  Much more respectable-looking lineup on the field, ace on the mound, you'll take that any day of the week.  CC Sabathia was brilliant his last time out and looking to build on the positive trends of that start, something that he accomplished in spades despite what the scoreboard read.  A quick burst of early runs and a dynamite start from your #1 is a helluva way to capitalize on a good situation.

Game Notes:

- The lineup jumped on Corey Kluber early, cashing in on a Michael Bourn error in the bottom of the 1st when Travis Hafner destroyed a 2-run homer into the second deck in right field.  2-0 just like that.

- They doubled up in the bottom of the 2nd on another rally started by the bottom of the order.  Single, double, single by Overbay, Nix, Stewart put 1 in and 2 on for Brett Gardner, who brought everybody home with his 6th(!!) HR of the season.  6-0 just like that.

- And that was all Carsten would need.  He was sharp out of the gate yesterday, retiring the first 12 batters he faced in order (11 on the infield).  He was pounding the zone with fastballs and keeping them down to get groundball outs and working the slider to get swings and misses.

- After 5 easy scoreless frames, CC gave 2 back in the 6th on a bunch of well-placed groundballs and BABIP magic.  All 3 hits in the inning were grounders, and CC K'd Mark Reynolds to end the nonsense.

- The one mistake he did make was in the top of the 7th when he hung a first-pitch slider to Yan Gomes.  Gomes hit for a 2-run homer and the game was suddenly close.

- The back end of the bullpen was out of commish yesterday so CC had to finish what he started.  He did it in style, fanning Bourn and Jason Kipnis in the 8th and retiring the 9th 1-2-3.  Excellent work by the big man.