Yankees Running Out of Chances

洋基正在浪費自己的機會
By HOWARD BECK
Published: August 30, 2008
Blue Jays 7, Yankees 6

If the Yankees are to make September relevant and October a possibility, they will surely need gritty pitching from the back of their rotation, runs by the half-dozen and enough poise not to squander such gifts when they get them.
假如洋基想要在九月份保持競爭力並且闖進季後賽的話，那麼他們真的需要後段先發輪值的勇猛表現和每場六分以上的得分，並且維持穩定的表現以至於不會輕易的將領先優勢拱手送人。

They had enough going for them Saturday to inspire a little belief: six runs to support Darrell Rasner, a four-run lead in the seventh inning and signs of life throughout the lineup. True to their season, the Yankees let the momentum and the good vibes slip away, just as rapidly as the clouds gathered over their doomed stadium.
他們在星期六的比賽當中得到了足夠的分數，使他們可以稍微喘息一會兒，Darrell Rasner有了隊友六分的火力支援，到了第七局還有四分的領先優勢，打線似乎也有復甦的跡象。然而真實的情況是，洋基輕易讓贏球的契機和感覺的溜走，速度之快就像洋基球場上方的烏雲罩頂一般。

Robinson Canó botched a potential double-play grounder, Rasner unraveled, the bullpen folded and Alex Rodriguez — with redemption in his grasp — hit into a ninth-inning double play as the Yankees lost to the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-6.
Cano搞砸了一個可能製造雙殺的機會，Rasner投球情緒因此受到影響，牛棚的後援也砸鍋，阿肉試圖抓住贖罪的機會，但最終還是在九局下半擊出了雙殺打，洋基也以6比7輸給了藍鳥。

As missed opportunities go, this one was colossal. The Yankees had won Friday on the surprising reliability of Carl Pavano’s arm and had a chance to take the series before facing the nearly unhittable Roy Halladay in Sunday’s series finale.
錯失了贏球的機會，在此刻顯得相當的巨大。星期五，洋基透過痛痛人令人驚奇的先發表現而贏得了比賽，在面對幾乎無法從藍鳥最後一戰先發Roy Halladay手中敲出安打的情況下，洋基有了贏得這次系列賽的希望。

“It’s a frustrating game,” Johnny Damon said. “We just wish we all could be a bit happier right now.”
「這是場令人感到挫敗的比賽。」大門說。「我們都希望現在的我們可以稍微開心一點。」

The loss cut short the Yankees’ modest winning streak at two games and left them six and a half games behind Boston in the race for the American League wild card. The Red Sox played the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.
這場敗戰也中止了洋基最近短暫的二連勝，再外卡排行榜上也落後了紅襪六場半的勝差。紅襪將會在禮拜六晚上迎戰白襪。（編按：紅襪今天贏了白襪，所以目前洋基落後紅襪七場。）

“This one hurts a lot,” Rodriguez said, and his pain was perhaps more acute than some of his teammates’.
「這場比賽真的很傷。」阿肉說，而阿肉心中的痛也許比其他的隊友都要來的深刻。

After being booed for his lack of clutch hitting, Rodriguez had a perfect chance to win back the fans’ faith. An announced crowd of 53,273 rose to its feet and roared as Rodriguez came to the plate in the ninth, with no outs, a one-run deficit and two runners on base.
由於在關鍵時刻缺乏表現，阿肉飽受主場球迷的噓聲伺候，阿肉原本有機會贏回球迷們對他的信心的。九局下半，無人出局，一分落後，一二壘上有跑者，輪到阿肉上場打擊時，全場53,273名的球迷起立替阿肉加油歡呼。

Rodriguez worked the count full, then smacked a blistering shot to the left side. But José Bautista fielded it cleanly, stepped on third base and fired to first for a double play. The play triggered immediate boos, although it was not clear whether they were aimed at Rodriguez or the umpire. Rodriguez thought he beat the throw, and Manager Joe Girardi came out of the dugout to briefly argue the call. The game ended on Cody Ransom’s flyout to left field.
阿肉與投手糾纏到滿球數，最後擊出了左邊方向的強勁滾地球，然而José Bautista將球乾淨的接進了手套，自己踩了三壘壘包之後再傳向一壘，造成雙殺。全場球迷立刻報以噓聲，儘管我們不確定這些噓聲是針對阿肉還是一壘審。阿肉認為他比球還要早到一壘壘包，老吉也出來短暫的對一壘審的判決表示抗議。然而球賽還是在Cody Ransom的左外野飛球被接殺後，結束了。

“I hit it hard,” Rodriguez said. “He made an unbelievable play. I don’t know how he made that play. To be able to get two outs, it just leaves you speechless.”
「我將球擊得很扎實，」阿肉說，「他（José Bautista）完成了一個令人難以想像的守備。我不知道他是怎麼辦到的，竟然能夠完成雙殺守備，這真的只能讓你無語問蒼天。」

Canó also felt the fans’ discontent Saturday after committing the most costly error of the day, with a 6-2 lead in the seventh inning. With no outs and a runner at first, Toronto’s Lyle Overbay hit a grounder to the right side of the infield. Canó scooped it up, but his backhanded flip fell short of Derek Jeter’s glove, and the ball squirted away for a two-base error, with Adam Lind going from first to third.
Canó也感覺到球迷對於他在七局上半，洋基6比2領先的情況下，發生了令洋基損失慘重的失誤而非常的不滿。無人出局，一壘上有跑者，藍鳥打者Lyle Overbay擊出了右邊方向的滾地球，Canó一把將球撈起，反手傳給隊長時，球卻傳低了，球滾到了外野造成了兩個壘包的失誤，讓Adam Lind從一壘上到了三壘。

“I think he just might have been a little too far away to try to do a little shovel pass there,” Jeter said. “But it happens. It’s a play he makes a lot. Unfortunately, that time it was just a little off-target.”
「我認為他可能離壘包有點遠，以致於無法順利的將球拋傳到二壘。」隊長說，「但事情就這樣發生了，這樣的守備動作他已經做過很多次了，只是很不幸的，這次他的傳球有些失準。」

Rasner, who had been solid through six innings, then loaded the bases, giving up a run-scoring single to Bautista and a walk to Gregg Zaun before giving way to Brian Bruney. Rasner left the mound to an appreciative ovation, and with a 6-3 lead.
Rasner完成了六局的投球，但隨後卻造成了滿壘的局面，被Bautista敲出一支帶有一分打點的一壘安打，又保送了Gregg Zaun，之後洋基就換上了Brian Bruney上場後援。Rasner帶著6比3的領先下場，全場球迷報以熱烈的掌聲。

“I get in trouble and I try to do too much,” Rasner said.
「我陷入了麻煩之中，我試著想要掌控的事情太多了。」Rasner說。

Toronto added two runs on Joe Inglett’s broken-bat flare to shallow center field, cutting the deficit to 6-5. The Blue Jays tied the score on a run-scoring single by Bautista in the eighth, then took their first lead when Travis Snider scored on a fielder’s choice. Dámaso Marte, who allowed the first two base runners of the inning, was charged with the loss.
藍鳥又靠著Joe Inglett中外野方向的斷棒安打添得了兩分，將比數追到了5比6，一分的落後。藍鳥在八局上，得點圈有跑者時，靠著Bautista的安打再下一城，追平了比數，隨後靠著野手選擇，得到了超前分，取得這場比賽首度的領先。八局一上場就讓兩個人上壘的Dámaso Marte承擔了比賽的敗戰。

The fans booed Rodriguez when he struck out in the seventh and Canó when he struck out in the eighth.
球迷在七局下阿肉被三振和Canó在第八局被三振時都發出了噓聲。

The day had begun on a far more upbeat note. The Yankees tagged the Toronto starter John Parrish for four runs, including back-to-back homers by Canó and Iván Rodríguez in the fourth. Hideki Matsui drove in two runs with a double to the right-field wall in the fifth.
今天開局時，全隊的士氣超旺。洋基讓藍鳥先發投手John Parrish被轟了四分，其中包括了Canó and Iván Rodríguez在第四局的back-to-back全壘打。大松井也在第五局擊出了打中右外野全壘打牆的兩分打點二壘安打。

At the time, it looked like enough.
在當時，（領先的分數）看起來似乎已經是足夠了。

“You hope it is,” Girardi said. “With the way ’Ras was throwing and our bullpen’s been throwing, you hope that that’s going to be enough. But as a team you can never assume that.”
「你真的希望那已經足夠了。」老吉說。「依照Rasner今天的投球表現與牛棚投手之前的投球表現，你希望那樣的領先優勢已經夠了，但是，以球隊的角度，你絕對不能有那樣的想法。」

INSIDE PITCH

Joba Chamberlain, recovering from a shoulder injury, pitched to hitters for the first time Saturday and declared himself ready to contribute again, either as a starter or reliever. He could be activated from the disabled list soon, although Joe Girardi would not commit to a timetable. “He looked good,” Girardi said Chamberlain threw 35 pitches, without a break, and said he felt fine physically. He has not pitched since Aug. 4. Girardi has strongly suggested that Chamberlain, who was converted from a reliever to a starter earlier this season, will be used out of the bullpen when he returns.
肩膀傷勢逐漸復原的喬巴在星期六進行了第一次面對打者的投球練習，並且宣稱他已經準備好重回球場了，不管是以先發投手的角色或是中繼後援的身分。他很快的就會從傷兵名單當中回來，儘管老吉不願意對於確切的時間表示意見。
「他看起來恢復的不錯。」老吉說，喬巴完成了35球投球練習，中間沒有休息，並且表示他身體一切正常。自從八月四號以來，喬巴就再也沒有上場投球。老吉強烈的建議，球季稍早從中繼後援轉任先發的喬巴，回到陣中擔任牛棚投手的工作。

News source：http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/sports/baseball/31yankees.html?_r=1&ref=baseball&oref=slogin

When Chamberlain Returns, Another Transition Awaits

當喬巴歸隊，轉任（中繼後援）又將等著他
By JACK CURRY
Published: August 29, 2008

If Joba Chamberlain completes a 35-pitch session against hitters without any difficulty on Saturday, the Yankees said they could active him soon after. Chamberlain has a rotator cuff problem and has not pitched since Aug. 4.
如果在星期六，喬巴能夠順利的面對打者投完35球的練習的話，洋基表示，很快就會將喬巴從傷兵名單中移除。因為喬巴肩膀旋轉袖的問題，自從八月四號就再也沒有上場投過球。

Manager Joe Girardi strongly suggested Friday that when Chamberlain returns he will come back as a reliever, not a starter. Although Chamberlain’s arm will need time to get stronger before he can start, the Yankees would rather have him in the bullpen than have him strengthening his arm on a rehabilitation assignment.
老吉在星期五的時候，堅定的表示，如果喬巴歸隊了，他將會擔任牛棚當中的中繼後援，而不是重反先發輪值。雖然要喬巴重返先發，需要給他更多的時間來讓手臂恢復的更強壯一些，但是洋基寧願他待在牛棚當中，也好過他在復建的這段時間裡勉強的去操他自己的手臂。

“I feel there’s nothing that’s holding me back as far as strength wise,” Chamberlain said. “We got one more test tomorrow. Hopefully that will be the last one before we can get in a game.”
「我覺得現在沒有任何事情可以讓我再躺回傷兵名單，就算是手臂強度的問題也一樣。」喬巴說。「明天我們還有一次的投球測試，希望這是我能夠重回球場的最後一次。」

As Chamberlain transitioned from the bullpen to the rotation about three months ago, the Yankees never sent him to the minor leagues to build up his arm strength. Instead, Chamberlain used whatever allotment of pitches he was allowed in the major leagues and increased his strength in that fashion.
大約三個月前，當喬巴由牛棚投手轉任為先發時，洋基從來沒有把他送到小聯盟去訓練他手臂的強度。取而代之的是，喬巴運用他在大聯盟當中的投球配額來增強他手臂的強度。

“That’s what we did before so I’m thinking we’re thinking along the same lines,” Girardi said.
「那是我們之前的作法，所以我認為我們對這件事情的認知都是一樣的。」老吉說。

Chamberlain, who is 4-3 with a 2.63 earned run average, said it has been exasperating to be a spectator. Since he went on the disabled list, the team is 11-12.
今年戰績四勝三負，並且擁有2.63投手防禦率的喬巴說，他已經受夠了只能在一旁當個啦啦隊員了，自從他進入了傷兵名單後，洋基的戰績只有十一勝十二敗。

“It’s frustrating not to be out there with them battling,” he said. “I know I’m trying to get back there and be with them. It’s still frustrating not to be with them through pitch one through the end of the game.”
「無法上場與球隊一起並肩作戰真的讓人感到很挫折。」喬巴說，「我知道我正試著要回到球場與球隊一起奮戰，然而無法上場投球與隊友一起戰到比賽結束這件事情依舊讓人感到沮喪。」

When Chamberlain was asked if his comeback would be determined by him or by the medical staff, he said, it would be based on “how I feel.” Chamberlain said he was hoping to return in time to have an impact on a Yankees team that is fading.
當喬巴被問到，他能否歸隊是依據他自己還是醫護人員的決定時，他說，那全都得看他自己感覺如何。喬巴說，他希望自已能夠及時歸隊，帶給季後賽希望漸漸渺茫的洋基一些正面的能量。

“We got a chance,” he said. “We always got a chance.”
「我們有機會的。」他說道，「我們一直都還有機會（闖進季後賽）。」

RODRIGUEZ ARRIVES LATE
Alex Rodriguez was late for pre-game activities at Yankee Stadium on Friday and took batting practice indoors. Girardi said Rodriguez had been delayed by traffic and joked, “I’m going to give him a different way to get here.” Shortly before Rodriguez arrived, Girardi said he thought Rodriguez receives too much attention.
阿肉星期五的賽前練習遲到了，也將打擊練習改在室內進行。老吉說阿肉是因為交通堵塞害他遲到的，並且開玩笑的說：「看來我要告訴他另一條來球場的路才行了。」阿肉抵達球場不久，老吉說他認為阿肉得到太多人的「關愛」了。

“I think so because one guy has never won a World Series for you, a season series,” Girardi said. “It takes 25 people. So I think there’s always a ton of focus on him. There’s a ton of focus on him because he’s expected to be great every day.”
「我會這麼認為是因為，從來沒有哪一個人可以替你贏得世界大賽冠軍或是整個賽季。」老吉說，「這（贏球）需要全隊25人的力量，我認為總是有一拖拉庫的焦點會放在他（阿肉）的身上。會有這麼多關注放在他身上，也是因為他總是被大家期待在每一天的比賽當中都能夠打出絕佳的表現。」

News source：http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/sports/baseball/30pins.html?ref=baseball

The Dennis Rodman of the Yankees

洋基的小蟲羅德曼
By Tyler Kepner
Tags: Alfredo Aceves, Yankees
August 28, 2008, 11:59 am

The newest Yankee is reliever Alfredo Aceves, who will be the first Yankee ever to wear No. 91. And why did he choose it? For Dennis Rodman.
洋基的最新成員，中繼投手Alfredo Aceves是洋基隊史上第一位穿上91號球衣的球員，至於為什麼要選擇91號的球衣呢？答案是為了小蟲Dennis Rodman。

“When I was in high school, I used to watch basketball and the Chicago Bulls,” Aceves said this morning. “Dennis Rodman was one of the best players at that time. The way he played, he played a lot mentally. He made the other players get frustrated.”
「當我還在唸高中的時候，我常常看籃球賽和公牛隊的比賽。」Aceves今天早上說，「小蟲是當時最好的球員之一，他常常會用一些心理戰術來打球，他讓其他球員感到挫敗。」

But you’re not nuts, right, Alfredo?
但，你不是怪咖對吧，Alfredo？

“But I’m not nuts,” Aceves said, laughing.
「對，我不是個怪咖。」Aceves笑著說。

The Yankees paid $450,000 to Aceves’ Mexican League team to sign him in February. At the same time, they also signed Manuel Banuelos, who is 4-1 with a 2.57 E.R.A. in the Gulf Coast League. “He’s a teenager, left-hander, very good,” General Manager Brian Cashman said.
洋基在二月，花了45萬美金向Aceves墨西哥聯盟的球隊簽下了他。同時間，他們也簽下了在Gulf Coast League有著四勝一敗，2.57投手防禦率的Manuel Banuelos。「他（Manuel Banuelos）是個年輕的左投手，相當不錯。」現金人說。

Aceves is here to provide bullpen depth, but he projects as a starter. He has made 23 starts this year in Class A Tampa, Class AA Trenton and Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, succeeding at every level with a fastball, curveball and changeup. Here’s the scouting report on him from June from Class AA catcher P.J. Pilittere.
Aceves現在用來增加牛棚的深度，但是他原本的計畫是當個先發投手。他今年在一Ａ、二Ａ和三Ａ共有23場的先發，運用他的快速球、曲球和變速球，成功的升上了大聯盟。這裡有他自從六月份的球探報告：http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/name-to-remember-in-the-yankees-farm-system-alfredo-aceves/，資料來自與他在二Ａ搭配的捕手P.J. Pilittere。

Give the Yankees credit for cobbling together a respectable bullpen from some surprising sources: Aceves (Mexican League), Edwar Ramirez (independent league), Jose Veras (minor league free agent) and Brian Bruney (minor league free agent) have all been success stories.
你必須要讚賞洋基能夠從一些地方找來幾位令人感到驚喜的球員填補牛棚的戰力，像是來自墨西哥聯盟的Aceves、來自獨立聯盟的Edwar Ramirez、小聯盟的自由球員Jose Veras和Brian Bruney，這些球員的表現都相當不賴。

News source：http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/the-dennis-rodman-of-the-yankees/

Hughes Making Progress at Class AAA

大帝在三Ａ持續進步中
By Tyler Kepner
Tags: Phil Hughes, Yankees
August 28, 2008, 7:04 pm

The Yankees have not forgotten about Phil Hughes, who started the season in the rotation but is now laboring for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. On Wednesday in Buffalo, Hughes worked 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and six hits, striking out seven with one walk. It followed two dismal starts that put into question whether Hughes would return in September.
洋基還沒有忘了大帝，這位本季一開始待在先發輪值表，現在卻在三ＡScranton/Wilkes-Barre的投手。星期三在Buffalo，大帝主投六又三分之一局，丟了兩分，被敲出六支安打，送出了七次三振與一次保送。在兩次令人感到沮喪的先發之後，大家都在懷疑大帝是否能夠在九月重返洋基，這場好表現像是一場及時雨。

Nardi Contreras, the organization’s pitching coordinator, traveled to Buffalo for the start. He showed Hughes video of his strong outings in 2007 and worked on mechanical adjustments.
球團的投手指導員Nardi Contreras特地為了大帝的這場先發飛到Buffalo。Contreras播放了大帝在2007年強力的投球表現給大帝他自己看，並且幫助大帝調整他的投球機制。

“He threw the ball hard,” Contreras said. “Threw the fastball for strikes and had a real good curveball. Real good changeup, mixed in a slider. He attacked the strike zone. They had (Josh) Barfield, Victor Martinez and (Tony) Graffanino in the lineup. He did well.”
「他投的很賣力，」Contreras說，「他用快速球搶好球數，而且擁有很好的曲球，不錯的變速球搭配上滑球，他持續攻擊好球帶，他們的打線擁有Josh Barfield、Victor Martinez and (Tony) Graffanino，他（大帝）做的很不錯。」

Contreras said Hughes topped out at 94 miles an hour and pitched regularly at 92. He would not say what adjustments he made to Hughes’ delivery, but he seemed to like the results.
Contreras指出大帝的最快球速來到了94 miles/hr，而且快速球經常維持在92 miles/hr左右。他（Contreras）並沒有說他替大帝做了哪些投球動作上的調整，但看起來，他似乎很滿意這樣的結果。

“He did well, and he had some success,” Contreras said. “He’s on his way.”
「他（大帝）做的很好，而且有一些不錯的進展。」Contreras說，「他漸漸步上軌道了。」

Not literally, Contreras meant. That is a call for General Manager Brian Cashman and Manager Joe Girardi, who will start adding players from the minors when rosters expand on Monday.
實際上，並不完全像是Contreras所說的那樣。最後的決定權還是在現金人和老吉手上，在下星期一，他們可以決定從小聯盟拉哪些人上來進入擴編名單當中。

News source：http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/hughes-making-progress-at-class-aaa/

More mailbag!

Christian writes: Hey Peter, what do you see the Yankees doing in terms of the outfield, first base and starting pitcher this offseason?
嗨，彼得胖，你認為洋基在本季結束之後，會怎樣調整外野、一壘手和先發投手群的陣容呢？

Answer: I’m not sure you’ll see much of anything in the outfield. Damon, Matsui and Nady will be back and Abreu could be as well depending what he wants. Melky Cabrera is at a career crossroads. But Austin Jackson is making progress and Brett Gardner could be a helpful player as well. First base is more complicated. Teixeira sounds great but would come at a great cost. Posada could play there at some point. So could Damon, maybe. In my opinion they need to bring back Mussina and/or Pettitte and bring in a front-line starter like Sabathia. Burnett would be a risk given his injury history.
我不確定你會在外野陣容上看到怎樣的變化，大門、大松井和奶弟都將會留下來，而Abreu則是要看他開的條件來決定（如果條件ＯＫ，也會留下）。牛奶弟已經來到了職業生涯的十字路口，Austin Jackson持續進步當中，Brett Gardner可能會是個不錯的小幫手。至於一壘手的位置就複雜多了。鐵爺聽起來很不錯，但是預料將會讓洋基大失血。Posada有時候可能也會在一壘的位置跑跑龍套，大門也可能會比照辦理。（編按：真的假的？！）就我的看法，他們（洋基）應該把穆帥或是帥派留下來，然後再搶一個輪值表前幾號的先發投手過來，像是沙胖。Burnett也是不錯，不過因為他過去的傷病史則可能會有點風險。

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Chris writes: What are the chances the yankees transition Jesus Montero to 1B for next year mid-season or 2010? I know he hasn’t made it far through the system but the yanks can’t afford to sign Tex, CC, and A-Rod at their current rates, so why not transition Jesus and keep the spot open for him. Just wondering your take on this as I have finally started looking towards 2009.
你認為洋基在明年季中或是2010年，把Jesus Montero轉到一壘的可能性有多高呢？我知道他在洋基農場系統還沒有待的很久，但是洋基沒有辦法同時負擔鐵爺、沙胖和阿肉他們目前的薪資，所以，為什麼不把Jesus轉往一壘的位置，並且把這個位置留給他呢？只要想到這樣的陣容，我就開始期待明年的賽季了。

Answer: Montero will be 19 in November and played low Class A ball this season. He is not going to be MLB-ready any time soon, the end of 2010 maybe. Beyond that, with Posada having three more seasons, they need to give Montero every chance to catch before thinking about moving him.
Montero在今年11月才會滿19歲，而且他這個球季才剛在低階一Ａ出賽。他還沒這麼快就準備好成為一個大聯盟的球員，也許到了2010年都還不是時候。除此之外，Posada還要替洋基出賽三個球季，他們（洋基）需要讓Montero任何可以蹲捕的機會，而不是急著轉調他。

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N.M. in Chicago writes: Everything I thought about the Yankees this season proved wrong. Girardi has been over his head, the bench was terrible and A-Rod has gone back to what he did in 2007. Would Mattingly or Torre make a difference?
之前我對洋基的所有看法都被證明是錯的。老吉的危機迫在眉睫，板凳的表現也遭透了，阿肉的表現則是和2007年相差甚遠。如果換成是Mattingly或是Torre來帶領洋基，有可能讓事情變的不一樣嗎？

Answer: It’s impossible to say. Girardi could stand to loosen up a bit, but veteran players don’t usually much care who the manager is as long as they play. Torre or Mattingly can’t just tell somebody to hit with runners on base. This was going to be a difficult season from the start and then the injuries hit. No team goes to the playoffs every season, it was just a matter of when it happened. Now it’s a matter of what they do about it.
這根本沒有辦法去比較。老吉可能會試著放球隊放鬆一點，但是有經驗的老鳥通常不會太在意總教練到底是誰。Torre或是Mattingly也沒有辦法叫某個球員在壘上有人時打安打，他就打出安打。這個球季是因為先發投手群與傷病的原因，才會變的如此艱困。沒有哪一隻球隊能夠每一年都打進季後賽，這（指無法進入季後賽）只是什麼時候發生的問題而已。現在就是洋基目前正遭遇到的問題。

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The guys at Full Count Pitch did an interview with me a few days after they quizzed Sweeny Murti. So check those out.

News source：http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/29/more-mailbag/

With Sense of Urgency, Pettitte Cuts His Losses

危機意識讓帥派中止了他的連敗
Derek Jeter had three hits, including a two-run homer, raising his average to .298.

Yankees 5, Blue Jays 1
By TYLER KEPNER
Published: August 20, 2008

TORONTO — When the Yankees stormed into the playoff race last summer, it seemed they could always count on Andy Pettitte. He won all six of his starts in August by reeling off his usual string of steely performances.
去年夏天，當洋基正在為季後賽奮戰的時候，帥派似乎是他們唯一可以依靠的對象。在八月份，帥派強硬的投球表現替自己贏得了所有八月份的先發比賽。

This season has been different, of course, for Pettitte and the Yankees. Before Wednesday night’s start at the Rogers Centre, the Yankees had lost each of Pettitte’s last four outings. He had pitched well at times, but not well enough.
然而這個球季對於帥派和洋基來說，已經變的不一樣了。星期三晚上在Rogers Centre先發之前，洋基在帥派過去的四場先發出賽中，全都輸了球。有時候他投的不錯，有時候則是表現的不盡理想。

“I’m hard on myself,” Pettitte said. “I don’t really come away from seven-plus innings and three runs saying, ‘Way to go.’ It’s a loss. But yet, you still want to build on it. You realize you’re throwing the ball decent.”
「對此我感到很自責。」帥派說，「我沒有投完七局（或七局以上）並將失分壓在三分之內的表現。這是一種挫敗。但即使如此，你還是希望可以拿出這樣的表現。你知道自己可以投出一場像樣的球賽。」

Pettitte went from decent to excellent this time, throttling the Toronto Blue Jays for seven innings of a 5-1 victory. He allowed five singles and no other base runners, and Derek Jeter helped with three hits, including a two-run homer.
帥派這場比賽的表現棒極了，七局的投球徹底壓制住藍鳥的打線，並帶領洋基以5比1拿下勝利。他被敲出的五支安打全都是在壘上沒有跑者的時候，而隊長也適時提供了火力的支援（三支安打，其中包括一發兩分打點全壘打）。

Pettitte improved to 13-9, and Jeter, with 16 hits in his last 26 at-bats, raised his average to .298. It has not been that high since the series in May when Baltimore’s Daniel Cabrera hit him on the hand with a pitch.
帥派本季的戰績來到了13勝9敗，隊長在過去26個打數當中敲出16支安打，也將他的打擊率提升到2成98。自從五月份，金鶯投手Daniel Cabrera觸身球砸中了他（Jeter）的手以來，這是他本季打擊率最高的時候。

“They know what it takes, and they’ve been there, and they understand what we have to do,” Manager Joe Girardi said, referring to Pettitte and Jeter. “Those are two of the leaders in here. Leaders have to step up, and that’s what they’re doing.”
「他們都了解洋基現在的處境，也仍然持續的奮戰著，他們都知道應該怎麼做。」老吉談到帥派和隊長時這麼說。「他們兩個都是洋基的領導人物。身為領導者，就必須帶頭替球隊做出貢獻，而這也是他們今天所做的。」

The victory was Pettitte’s first since July 26, the last game in the Yankees’ eight-game winning streak after the All-Star break. Since then, they are 9-14, 10 games behind Tampa Bay in the American League East and five and a half behind Boston for the wild card.
這是從7月26號，洋基自明星賽八連勝最後一場以來，帥派的首場勝投。從那之後，洋基的戰績為9勝14敗，在美聯東區落後光芒10場勝差，在外卡也落後紅襪五場半。

If the Yankees had lost, they would have been tied with the Blue Jays for third place in the division. They were facing a starter they needed to beat, and they handled him with ease.
假如洋基輸球，那麼他們將會和藍鳥並列分區第三。洋基面對的是他們必須擊敗的投手，而他們也輕鬆的做到了。

The Toronto rookie David Purcey, a former Yankees draft pick with a 6.55 earned run average, lasted four innings and allowed five runs. His start was sandwiched between two aces, A. J. Burnett and Roy Halladay. Burnett humbled the Yankees on Tuesday, and Halladay usually does the same thing.
藍鳥的菜鳥投手David Purcey是洋基之前經由選秀挑中的，本季防禦率為6.55，在四局的投球當中掉了五分。他的先發夾在兩位ACE（A. J. Burnett和Roy Halladay）之間。Burnett在星期二讓洋基吞下了敗仗，而Halladay也經常幹這種事（讓洋基吃敗仗）。

“You know what you get when you’re facing Halladay,” Girardi acknowledged after the game. “You’re getting one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.”
「你知道當你遇上Halladay的時候會是怎樣的情形，你要面對的是全大聯盟最好的其中一位投手。」老吉在賽後這麼說。

From the beginning, the Yankees played with urgency. At least, that was how it looked against Purcey, whose poor fastball command kept him from showing off his slider. He gave up singles to the first three hitters he faced, loading the bases.
從比賽一開始，洋基就帶著危機意識在打球。至少，看起來這讓他們擊敗了Purcey，而Purcey快速球控球的不理想，也讓他的滑球無用武之地。他面對的前三位打者都從他手中敲出一壘安打，也因此造成滿壘的狀況。

After a shallow fly to right by Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi drove in Johnny Damon with a sacrifice to deep center. Xavier Nady followed with a single to right to make the score 2-0.
在阿肉擊出右外野軟弱的飛球之後，大吉打出了中外野深遠的高飛犧牲打，送回大門。奶弟隨後敲出一支安打，將比數改寫為2比0。

The way Pettitte pitched, that was a comfortable lead. He retired 13 of the first 14 hitters, attacking the lower half of the strike zone and working quickly.
帥派今天的投球表現也讓洋基安穩的領先。攻擊好球帶下半區的投球策略非常管用，這也使得他所面對的14位打者，其中13位全都無功而返。

“You don’t let the hitter think, that’s the main thing,” José Molina said. “Me as a catcher, you don’t let the pitcher think. A lot of things happen when pitchers think.”
「你不能讓打者有機會思考，這是最主要的一點。」摸二哥說。「身為一位捕手，你也不能讓投手想太多，很多事情就是在投手胡思亂想的時候發生的。」

Pettitte said he wanted to stay aggressive. He had issued a season-high four walks in his last start, against Kansas City, and two turned into runs. For this game, Pettitte gave himself more credit.
帥派說他要保持投球的攻擊性。上次面對皇家的先發，他送出了本季單場最多的四次保送，也造成了兩分的失分。而這次，帥派給自己更多的信心。

“Some guys I don’t need to be walking,” Pettitte said, and the weak-hitting Blue Jays met that description.
帥派說：「有些人我根本不需要對他們投出保送。」藍鳥軟弱的打擊說明了這點。

Toronto bunched three singles in the sixth inning, scoring a run with one out. But Pettitte recovered to strike out Vernon Wells, jamming him with an inside fastball, and a lazy fly to left ended the threat.
藍鳥在六局下半一人出局時，敲出了三支安打得到一分。但是帥派隨即回穩，塞了一記內角速球，讓Vernon Wells擊出軟弱的左外野飛球，結束了這個半局的危機。

Pettitte raised his arms as the ball settled into Nady’s glove — more out of relief, it seemed, than showmanship. The second half has been frustrating for Pettitte, who had gone four second-half starts without a win for the first time since 2001.
當球被奶弟穩穩地接進手套時，帥派舉起了他的手臂，這樣的舉動與其說是表演，其實看起來更像是鬆了一口氣。下半季（指明星賽之後）對於帥派來說的確是讓他感到挫折，自從2001年以來，他第一次在下半球季先發出賽四場卻一勝未得。

That season turned out well enough for Pettitte, who helped guide the Yankees to another pennant. When they lost the World Series to Arizona, it was considered a failure.
雖然那個球季（2001的賽季）對於帶領洋基打進季後賽爭取世界大賽冠軍的帥派來說，已經是非常好了。但是當他們在世界大賽輸給響尾蛇的時候，一切都被認為是失敗的。

The expectations are different now, as the Yankees scramble to simply make the rest of their games relevant. They need more efforts like this to meet that goal, and Pettitte has not lost faith.
可是現在情況不同了，洋基面臨這最後搶勝的階段，每一場比賽非常重要。他們必須像今天一樣，付出更多努力來達成目標，就像帥派沒有失去信心一樣。

“We were able to do it last year, and there’s no reason we can’t do it again,” he said. “The teams that are ahead of us, we have to play still. I really believe we can pull this thing off.”
「去年我們能夠辦到（指賽季末努力搶勝，最後闖進季後賽），沒有理由我們不能再做到一次。」帥派說。「這些戰績領先我們的球隊，我們都還必須跟他們對戰。我真的相信我們可以拋開這一切，闖進季後賽。」

INSIDE PITCH

Carl Pavano threw in the bullpen for Class AA Trenton on Wednesday and is in line to start for the Yankees on Saturday. Phil Hughes, another candidate, is listed as the Friday night starter for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees have not confirmed their Saturday starter, but General Manager Brian Cashman said, “Both players are fine and in line with their next start.” ... Derek Jeter’s homer was his 203rd, passing Bill Dickey and tying Roger Maris for 11th place on the Yankees’ career list.... Mariano Rivera’s son MarIAno Jr. wore his father’s No. 42 and served as the Yankees’ bat boy.
痛痛人星期三在2A Trenton的牛棚進行了練投，他也是洋基表訂在星期六的先發投手。另一個選擇，大帝，也表訂在星期五晚上替3A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre出賽。雖然洋基尚未確定他們星期六的先發人選，但現金人說：「這兩位投手都很健康，也將按照計畫在表訂的場次先發上陣。」（編按：那痛痛人說他脖子僵硬又是怎麼回事？　=.=||）

隊長今天的全壘打是他生涯的第203號，超越了Bill Dickey也追平了Roger Maris，並列洋基隊史上的第11位。

MO的兒子MarIAno Jr.穿上了自己父親42號的球衣，並且在洋基球場擔任球童的工作。

News source：http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/21/sports/baseball/21yankees.html?_r=1&ref=baseball&oref=slogin

PS：文章落落長，看的我眼睛都花了　@@~~

順便補個Game box：

Replay Moves Closer to Reality

立即重放系統讓比賽更接近現實
By Jack Curry
Tags: instant replay, umpires
August 20, 2008, 6:43 pm

The use of instant replay in major league games is inching closer to fruition. The commissioner’s office and the umpires reached an agreement on the details regarding the implementation of a replay system on Wednesday.
在大聯盟比賽當中啟用立即重放系統已經快要成真了。星期三，大聯盟委員會辦公室和裁判們達成了有關設置重放系統細節的協議。

Although a baseball official who was briefed on the discussions would not give specifics about the agreement, the World Umpires Association sent a letter to the commissioner’s office to confirm the accord.
雖然對討論結果鬆了一口氣的棒球官員並沒有對協議的細節詳細說明，世界裁判協會還是發函至聯盟委員會辦公室，確認協議的相關內容。

Major League Baseball has already begun installing equipment at ballparks and hopes to have the system in place this month. The replay equipment would be used to help make calls on whether balls cleared the fence for home runs or whether balls hit near the foul pole are fair or foul.
大聯盟已經準備好在球場設置重放系統，並且希望在這個月就能夠啟用。重放系統將會用來幫助裁判判斷全壘打球是否確定飛出場外，或者靠近界外標竿的球是界內還是界外。

News source：http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/replay-moves-closer-to-reality/

Zambrano Ready for a Return to the Majors

Zambrano已經準備好再戰大聯盟
By Michael S. Schmidt
Tags: victor zambrano
August 19, 2008, 10:13 pm

TRENTON — A name that sends Mets fans into a tizzy has quietly emerged as a possible starter for the Yankees this Saturday.
一個讓梅子球迷感到興奮（或是震驚？）的名字，同樣的也可能會是星期六洋基的先發投手候選人之一。

Victor Zambrano, whom the Mets acquired in a trade for Scott Kazmir shortly before the 2004 trading deadline, pitched for the Trenton Thunder, the Yankees’ Class-AA affiliate, on Monday. His manager said Zambrano, two seasons removed from elbow surgery, is ready to pitch again in the major leagues.
2004年交易截止日之前，梅子隊交易掉Scott Kazmir而換來的Victor Zambrano，星期一在洋基2A的Trenton Thunder登板先發。他的經紀人說，因為手肘手術缺席兩個球季的Zambrano已經準備好再次登上大聯盟。

“He’s a guy who had command of both sides of the plate and command of the strike zone,” Thunder Manager Tony Franklin said on Tuesday about Zambrano’s outing, in which he pitched five innings, allowed four hits and no runs.
「他是個能夠掌控本壘板兩側以及宰制好球帶的傢伙。」星期二，Thunder總教練Tony Franklin談到Zambrano先發表現（主投五局，被打四支安打無失分）時這麼說的。

“As I have said, if you can make pitches low in the strike zone, you can pitch anywhere, and he did that and could pitch in the big leagues,” Franklin added.
「如同我所說的，如果你能夠將球控制在好球帶低的位置，那麼你到哪都能夠投球，他（Zambrano）就做到了，而且他也具備在大聯盟投球的能力。」Franklin說。

Before he was promoted to Trenton, Zambrano made two starts with the Yankees’ Class-A affiliate in Tampa and did not allow a run in eight innings.
在Zambrano升上Trenton之前，他在洋基1A先發出賽了兩場，主投八局沒有掉任何的分數。

“I am doing good and feeling good, and my arm is in good shape,” Zambrano said. “It was my second Tommy John surgery, so you have to be patient. My velocity is there — 90, 91, 89. When I signed with the Yankees it was to prove that I am healthy and to get an opportunity to pitch.”
「我表現的不錯，而且感覺也很好，我的手臂狀況也很棒。」Zambrano說。「這是我第二次動Tommy John的手術，所以必須要有耐心。我的球速還在89～91mile這個範圍。」我和洋基簽約就是要證明我依然很健康，還有機會上場投球。

The Mets’ deal for Zambrano has turned into one of the more embarrassing in team history. In 2005, his first full season with the Mets, Zambrano went 7-12 with a 4.17 earned run average. He made only five starts in 2006 before he had elbow surgery. He never pitched again for the Mets and bounced from team to team. Meanwhile, Kazmir has become one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball.
Zambrano的合約可以說是梅子隊史上最讓人感到難堪的合約之一（編按：再怎麼樣，都有洋基這張痛痛人的合約幫你們頂著，再怎麼冏也輪不到你們　XD）。2005年是Zambrano第一個完整的球季，他繳出7勝12敗，防禦率4.17的成績。2006年，在他進行手肘手術之前，僅先發出賽了五場。之後他就再也沒有替梅子出賽過，並且換了一隊又一隊。同時，Kazmir已經成為聯盟中最好的左投手之一。

With the Yankees needing a starter for Saturday, Zambrano is being mentioned along with Carl Pavano and Phil Hughes, as possibilities.
在洋基星期六的先發投手候選人名單中，Zambrano和痛痛人與大帝同樣都是可能的人選。

And, what did Zambrano think of his chances? He shrugged his shoulders and smiled, “It’s going to be a good story. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve been working everyday.”
然而Zambrano怎麼看待這個（重返大聯盟）的機會呢？他聳聳肩笑著說：「這可能會是個好的結果，雖然這一切並不容易，我每天都為了這個目標而努力。」

News source：http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/zambrano-ready-for-a-return-to-the-majors/

Some news about Yankees

Now It's Carl's neck！！
痛痛人這次又輪到脖子出問題了！！
By GEORGE A. KING III
Posted: 3:19 am
August 20, 2008

TORONTO - Carl Pavano Carl Pavano came out of a minor-league rehab start Sunday with stiffness in his neck and didn't throw a bullpen session yesterday.
痛痛人在星期天投完了小聯盟復健賽之後，突然感到脖子有點僵硬，所以錯過了昨天的牛棚練習。

Pardon us if you have heard that, or something close to it, before concerning the "American Idle," who has been sidelined forever with a list of injuries ranging from a balky back to a bruised buttocks to rotator-cuff tendinitis to a torn elbow ligament.
在報導有關這位"American Idle"（從背痛、屁股受傷、旋轉袖肌腱炎一直到手肘韌帶撕裂傷，因為一連串的病痛而躺在傷兵名單中許久的這個傢伙）的消息之前，請原諒我們讓你聽到了這則報導（或者有關他的消息）。

If Pavano is Saturday's starter in Baltimore, he would have to throw a bullpen session today. Because the Yankees New York Yankees ' options include a not-ready-for-the-big-leagues Phil Hughes Phil Hughes and not much else, Pavano is in the mix to start.
假如痛痛人將在星期六先發對上金鶯，那麼他今天就應該進到牛棚練投。因為洋基那天的先發選擇包括了尚未準備好在大聯盟出賽的大帝，以及好不到哪去的痛痛人。

News source：http://www.nypost.com/seven/08202008/sports/yankees/now_its_carls_neck__125194.htm


The trade that hurt both teams
這筆交易似乎對兩隊（洋基和老虎）來說都是個傷害

The Yankees are 3-7 in the games Pudge Rodriguez has started since he came over from the Tigers. He is 8 for 35 (.229) with one RBI. Andy Pettitte threw to him once then asked not to again.
I-ROD從老虎來到洋基先發蹲捕的十場比賽當中，洋基的戰績是三勝七敗。而他在這十場的打擊率為2成29，且只有一分打點。帥派與I-ROD合作過一場之後，就要求不要再與他（I-ROD）搭配了。

The Tigers are 3-4 in the games Kyle Farnsworth has pitched in. Over 7.3 innings, he has allowed 13 hits (three HRs) and six earned runs.
老方到了老虎出賽的七場比賽中，老虎的戰績也只有三勝四敗。在7.3局的投球中，他被敲了13支安打（其中有3發全壘打）並且丟掉了六分自責分。

Obviously it’s a trade that made perfect sense at the time. But it sure hasn’t worked out the way Brian Cashman and Dave Dombrowski thought it would.
在當時，這很顯然是筆相當合理的交易。但是現在看來，交易的結果並沒有達到現金人和Dave Dombrowski的預期。

News source：http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/the-trade-that-hurt-both-teams/

Giambi dons the golden sombrero

大吉這回戴了頂金色墨西哥帽

Jason Giambi struck out four times last night. It was only the fourth time in his career he has done that, the first time since Aug. 2, 2000.
大吉在昨晚的比賽當中吞下了四Ｋ，這也僅僅是他職業生涯當中的第四次而已，也是自從2000年8月2號以來的第一次。

He has one hit in his last 15 at-bats. That was the grand slam on Sunday. The Big G also grew the ’stache back. It doesn’t seem to be helping.
在過去的15個打數當中，大吉只有一支安打，就是星期天的滿貫砲。大吉也把他的鬍子又留了起來，只是看起來似乎沒有什麼太大的幫助。

News source：http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/giambi-dons-the-golden-sombrero/

For Yanks, a Return, but Not a Triumph

Blue Jays 2, Yankees 1

By TYLER KEPNER

Published: August 19, 2008

TORONTO — This is how badly things are going for the Yankees: They activated a star player from the disabled list on Tuesday, and it indirectly lost them a game.

Hideki Matsui returned as the designated hitter, which pushed Johnny Damon into full-time duty in center field. He dropped a fly ball in the first inning and got away with it. But when Damon leaped on the warning track with one on and two out in the eighth inning, he let a deep drive by Toronto’s Marco Scutaro deflect off his glove for a double.

Damon flipped away his glove in disgust, but there was nothing he could do to erase the damage. Joe Inglett scored from first on the play, and B. J. Ryan saved a 2-1 victory for A. J. Burnett in the ninth.

“Those should have been two easy outs,” Damon said. “If they’re going to use me in center more, I need to be better. That’s very uncharacteristic of me and of most center fielders in the league. I’ll take this one on me.”

With the victory, the Blue Jays crept a game behind the third-place Yankees in the American League East. The Yankees are 11 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays and six and a half behind the Boston Red Sox, who lead for the wild card.

Burnett struck out 13 over eight innings for his 16th victory. José Veras took the loss in relief of Darrell Rasner, who carried a shutout into the seventh before allowing a game-tying homer to Adam Lind.

“I wish I would have been better on that one pitch,” Rasner said. “I’m going to try not to beat myself up.”

Across the locker room, Damon was doing plenty of that. He said he wished he had been playing deeper against Scutaro, to guard against a double, because then he might not have had to jump at the track.

But he made no excuse for the play, which he said should have been ruled an error. The ball simply hit the top of his glove and fell away. “I’m baffled,” Damon said.

The Yankees hoped for a ninth-inning rally when Alex Rodriguez led off with a spinning bloop single over first baseman Lyle Overbay. Rodriguez said he thought the ball would trickle to the side wall, but Overbay chased it down, sliding on his knees to barehand it before throwing a strike to second to nab Rodriguez.

It was reminiscent of a game in Anaheim this month when Rodriguez was caught stealing third, trying to force the action. But it was a gamble worth taking, he said, because the Yankees have struggled for runs.

“The one thing we shouldn’t do is play passive,” Rodriguez said. “If he does three things — barehand it, slide and throw a strike — he deserves it. We didn’t do enough early in the game.”

That was because of Burnett, who regularly carves up the Yankees. So does his teammate Roy Halladay, who starts Thursday. In the last two seasons, Burnett is 4-0 with a 1.21 earned run average in five starts against the Yankees.

He walked Damon to lead off the first, but issued no more walks the rest of the game. The Yankees got an opposite-field double from Bobby Abreu to score Damon, then they went cold.

Burnett’s fastball had vicious late movement — in the fifth, Damon could only wave at a tailing third-strike fastball he expected to be inside — and his curveball was humbling.

“He was throwing pellets,” said Rodriguez, who struck out three times. “He was 0-2 on everybody, throwing in the high- to mid-90s, and then he had a snake for a breaking ball. Give him credit.”

At a softer setting, Rasner was just as effective. The Blue Jays tried to take advantage of his aggressive approach by swinging early, but that helped Rasner because he was locating his pitches so well.

He threw only seven pitches in the fifth, and six in the sixth. Through that inning his pitch count was 68, and he worked into the seventh for only the second time in 11 starts.

With one out and the left-handed Lind batting, Manager Joe Girardi had the left-handed Dámaso Marte warming up in the bullpen. But Rasner had struck out Lind with a cutter in the fourth inning, and he stayed in to face him.

“He’d done a good job against him,” Girardi said. “I was comfortable with Raz, the way he was throwing the ball.”

But this time, Lind lifted a cutter over the right-field wall for a homer to tie the score, 1-1. As he watched the ball’s flight, Rasner slumped forward, his hands on his knees, and shouted. The lead was lost — not to return — and another day was soon gone from a season that is rapidly shrinking.

INSIDE PITCH

Carl Pavano has pitched twice for the Yankees in the last 1,149 days, but he could start Saturday in Baltimore despite rumblings of various minor injuries. General Manager Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi said that Pavano would pitch in the bullpen on Wednesday. “He’s going to start Saturday,” Cashman said. “Whether for us or for Trenton remains to be seen, but he’s definitely starting on Saturday.” Girardi said Pavano and Phil Hughes, another candidate to start Saturday, were experiencing “normal soreness” after their minor league starts on Sunday. Cashman said other minor leaguers could be options for the start, and it is worth noting that Víctor Zambrano pitched five shutout innings for Class AA Trenton on Monday. ... Joba Chamberlain played catch and made 60 throws. He will intensify the workout on Thursday and throw in the bullpen on Saturday but does not seem likely to return this month.

News source：http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/sports/baseball/20yankees.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin

Damon: “That’s unacceptable”

There are tough losses, there are bad losses and then there are losses when your center fielder drops a ball with two outs in the eighth inning to cost you the game.

There are Yankees who play just as hard as Johnny Damon but nobody who plays harder. He’s a full-effort guy and has been since the day he arrived.

He just screwed up two plays tonight.

“Plain and simple, I missed two balls and that’s unacceptable,” Damon said. “I know that stuff happens sometimes but catching routine fly balls should be that much of a problem. I’m baffled.”

It wasn’t quite routine. But it’s a play that has to be made.

The Yankees are 6.5 games out of the wild card with 37 games to play. If the Red Sox simply go .500, they’ll win 91 games. The Yankees would have to go 25-12 to match that.

News source：http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/19/damon-thats-unacceptable/

Will He or Won’t He? Pavano May Be On Deck

究竟會不會是他？痛痛人可能會上場投球。
By Tyler Kepner
Tags: Carl Pavano, Phil Hughs, victor zambrano, Yankees
August 19, 2008, 7:49 pm

Rarely has a “To Be Determined” caused more intrigue than the one on the Yankees’ schedule for Saturday. That is when the Yankees play in Baltimore, and their starting pitcher could be Carl Pavano.
洋基陣中幾乎沒有一個「尚未確定」的先發投手能夠引起這麼多人的好奇心。因為，星期六洋基作客到金鶯的時候，他們的先發投手可能會是痛痛人。

It could also be Phil Hughes. Or maybe even Victor Zambrano, based solely on his five strong innings for Class AA Trenton on Monday. But it really could be Pavano.
當然也可能會是大帝，甚至可能是星期一在2A Trenton投出完美五局的Victor Zambrano，但，真的可能還是痛痛人的機會較大。

There was chatter today that Pavano had complained about an issue with his lat muscle, but General Manager Brian Cashman said there was no such issue. Maybe it was only idle talk, but there is no groundswell of excitement in the clubhouse for a Pavano return, and a good deal of skepticism. The Yankees have been fooled before.
今天又有傳言說痛痛人在抱怨他闊背肌有問題，但現金人說根本沒有這樣的事情（指痛痛人在抱怨的這件事）。也許這只是個無聊的傳言，但是洋基球團當中，對於痛痛人即將歸隊的這件事情一點興奮的情緒都沒有，並且相當懷疑他是否真的能夠回來投球。畢竟洋基之前已經被耍過很多次了。

Say this for Pavano, though -– he has worked diligently to come back on schedule from last June’s Tommy John elbow surgery. Perhaps he is motivated by wanting to showcase himself for free agency this winter. Or perhaps he will beg out of the start for some reason.
雖然痛痛人很積極努力地想要在去年六月的Tommy John手術後重返球場，但這麼說吧，也許他只是想要在（今年冬天）合約年的最後一年展現他依舊能夠投球的能力，或者，可能是他為了某些原因乞求洋基給他先發的機會。

But for now, he’s an option. The man who has pitched two major league games in the last 1,149 days might really start for the Yankees on Saturday. A strange season would get a lot stranger.
但就目前來說，他的確是個選擇。這個在過去1149天當中，只投過兩場大聯盟賽事的傢伙可能真的會在星期六替洋基出賽。不尋常的球季總是會有一堆怪咖的出現。（編按：大概就是所謂的「歹年冬，猴肖人（台語）」吧。）

Then again, a start by Zambrano might be just as strange. Michael S. Schmidt ran into Zambrano in Trenton on Tuesday, and he’ll have a post soon about what he learned.
還有，Zambrano的先發也可能是件怪異的事情。Michael S. Schmidt星期二在Trenton碰到了Zambrano，也許很快的他就會將他得到的消息報導出來。

News source：http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/will-he-or-wont-he-pavano-may-be-on-deck/

U.S. clinches berth in medal round

Fowler leads Americans to victory over Chinese Taipei
By Mark Newman / MLB.com
08/19/2008 11:40 AM ET

BEIJING -- Despite some tense moments along the way, the four favorites advanced from the original field of eight and will meet in Friday's semifinal games at the Summer Olympics on Friday: Korea, Cuba, the United States and Japan.

The U.S. clinched a place in the medal round Tuesday by rallying for a 4-2 victory over a Chinese Taipei team that personified the intense competition from top to bottom at the Games. All that remains are the exact matchups, which will be determined when all four teams play their seventh and final games of the preliminaries on Wednesday, including the U.S. vs. Japan at 7 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) at the Wukesong Main Field.

"We came halfway around the world to get to the medal round, and like I said early on, this is the best competition I've been involved in with the Olympics," said U.S. general manager Bob Watson. "You're going to have someone get into the semifinals with three losses. We've only got half of our work done. We've got some games to play against some tough clubs, and we'll have to play our A-game.

"I've heard a lot of people say they want to see us play Cuba for the gold medal. The way I look at it, we've got to play them all anyway. I just want to be there. I don't care who we play, as long as we've done our part to be there."

Korea beat Cuba on Tuesday to remain the only unbeaten team at 6-0. Cuba is 5-1. The U.S. and Japan are each 4-2. Korea will be the No. 1 seed, Cuba will be No. 2, and the other two clubs will decide their order of seeding with Wednesday's game. No. 1 will play No. 4 at 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday, and No. 2 will play No. 3 at 6 p.m. that day. The losers will play for the bronze medal at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, and the winners will meet at 6 p.m. that day to decide the gold and silver.

"This game was huge for us, because it alleviates some of the pressure going into [the Japan game], even though we're not just going to show up against them," said shortstop Jason Donald, who showed the representative emotion after getting to first base with an RBI single in the eighth that produced the final run. "The goal is to get in. Obviously we're not satisfied with the worst-case scenario of a bronze medal or no medal. We're going for the gold medal. That's why we're here."

Chinese Taipei struck first, when Chih-Sheng Lee led off the fifth inning with a double, was bunted over to third and scored on an error by first baseman Matt Brown. But the U.S. team answered immediately in the bottom of the inning, getting a run of its own on a leadoff triple by Dexter Fowler and an RBI double by Brian Barden.
中華隊率先展開攻勢，林智勝（編按：原文作者將大師兄的名字誤植為Chih-Sheng Lee，應該是Chih-Sheng Lin才對）於第五局無人出局時率先擊出二壘安打，靠著犧牲觸擊推進到三壘，並藉著美國隊一壘手Matt Brown的守備失誤攻下第一分。然而美國隊很快的就在下半局有所回應，由Dexter Fowler擊出leadoff的三壘安打，再靠著Brian Barden的二壘安打追平比數。

The U.S. played this game without outfielder Matt LaPorta -- who will be unavailable against Japan because of the mild concussion he sustained when he was beaned Monday night against China. Yet the U.S., also missing second baseman Jayson Nix -- who expects to play in the medal round after being hit in the face by a pitch last Friday -- once again made up for a key absence, particularly in the outfield.

Nate Schierholtz threw out Chin-Feng Chen at home with a perfect peg from right to preserve a 1-1 score through the top of the sixth. Fowler was on base all four times, hitting a triple, double and single and drawing a walk. John Gall led off the sixth with a homer and the eighth with a double and run.
Nate Schierholtz在六局上半，完美的外野長傳將鋒哥阻殺在本壘之前。Fowler四次的打擊機會全都上壘，分別敲出三壘安打、二壘安打、一壘安打和一次的四壞球保送。John Gall在六局下半率先擊出了一支全壘打，又在八局下敲出二壘安打並且回到本壘得到了一分。

The sixth inning was decisive. After Schierholtz's big play in right, Gall led off the bottom of that inning with a homer over the wall in left-center. The U.S. never trailed again. Lou Marson walked, Donald sacrificed him over to second -- "I haven't had a sac bunt the whole year in Double-A and now I've had three here," Donald said -- and then Fowler slashed a double to left while hitting from the left side. That gave the U.S. a 3-1 lead and made an eventual winner out of Brandon Knight (1-0).

"Everybody on our team feels like we've earned it, because we battled in the trenches the last several days," Gall said. "It's been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the way this crowd is up every night, the competition being this top-notch. It has been intense. Every team we play is gunning for us. It's really amazing the talent across the world, and that was a great baseball team we just beat tonight."

In his second start of the Olympics, Knight was effective early, striking out five of the first seven batters he faced. Although he did not record a strikeout after the second inning, he was able to battle and keep Taipei from no more than two runs in the game.
在本屆奧運的第二次先發，Knight一開始就投得很有效率，面對前七位中華隊的打者，他就三振了其中的五名。雖然從第二局之後，他就沒有再投出三振過，他還是可以持續奮戰下去，並且讓中華隊無法在他手中拿下超過兩分的分數。

"[Chinese Taipei] was what we expected and I was just very impressed [with them]," Knight said. "I think it is something that I have been through having played in Asia. They really do a good job of making adjustments. Their scouting is second to none and they really pay attention to what is going on.
「中華隊是我們期待碰到的對手，而且我也對他們感到印象深刻。」Knight說。「我認為這是我在亞洲打球（的這段時間）讓我一直感受到的。他們的調整真的做的很好，他們的球探報告是獨一無二的，而且他們也很專注球場上的所有情勢變化。」

"The first time through the order I was able to make some good pitches and get some swings and misses. But they made the adjustment. They started taking some good pitches and taking some good swings on others. I was impressed but I also wasn't surprised."
「在面對第一輪的打者時，我可以投出一些不錯的球，並且讓打者揮空。但是他們馬上做出調整，他們開始選擇某些好球做攻擊，並且打的很扎實。這讓我印象深刻，但我並不感到驚訝。」

Chinese Taipei cut the U.S. lead to 3-2 when Chih-Sheng Lin answered Gall's leadoff homer with a leadoff clout of his own in the seventh. Knight stayed on to retire one more batter, and then Mike Koplove came in from the bullpen induced two groundouts to end the inning. He threw a 1-2-3 eighth to extend his Olympic perfection to 4 1/3 hitless innings. Kevin Jepsen got the save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
在七局上半，大師兄馬上回應了在上個半局（六局下）率先敲出一支陽春全壘打的Gall，他（大師兄）也來了一發，將比數改寫為2比3，僅落後美國隊一分。Knight繼續留在場上，等他解決了下一棒的打者之後，Mike Koplove從牛棚當中上場接替投球，並且成功的製造了兩個滾地球出局，結束了這個半局。第八局他也成功的投出了一個三上三下的半局，也讓他在本屆奧運比賽中，無安打的投球局數來到了四又三分之一局。Kevin Jepsen也完成了三上三下的第九局投球，並順利的拿下了救援。

There were some tense moments early in this tournament, as the U.S. started 1-2 with tough losses to Korea and then Cuba sandwiched around a 9-0 win over the Netherlands. Some people might even have had a sudden doubt about whether the Americans were going to make it past the semifinal cut.

"There was never a doubt in my mind," Donald said. "There was not one guy who pushed the panic button here. We had to persevere. And we're in the medal round."

Now the baseball team has a chance to add to the U.S. overall lead in the medals standings. It will be gold, silver, bronze or zip. All of that remains to be seen, but the first objective has been accomplished.

Mark Newman is enterprise editor of MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

News source：http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080819&content_id=3332001&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

PS：僅翻譯與中華隊有關的片段。原本不太想翻譯的，但是看到有鋒哥的照片，還是忍不住把有關中華隊的內容順手翻了一下。

Girardi Girds Yankees for an Uphill Trip

老吉帶領洋基踏上為季後賽奮戰的艱困旅程

By PAT BORZI

Published: August 18, 2008

The last of the reporters were filing out of his office Sunday afternoon when Yankees Manager Joe Girardi spun out of his chair and approached a bookshelf behind him. He reached for a blue binder on the shelf that contained scouting reports.
星期天下午，當最後一批的記者離開了老吉的辦公室之後，這位洋基的總教練一邊撥弄著他的頭髮，一邊往他身後的書架走去。他伸手在書架上拿了一本裝訂好的藍色資料夾，裡面是球探報告的資料。

“O.K., who do we have next — Toronto and Baltimore, right?” Girardi said, presumably to the Yankees media relations director, Jason Zillo, the only club employee within earshot.
「嗯，接下來我們的對手是－藍鳥和金鶯，沒錯吧？」老吉問道，大概只有洋基媒體事務主任Jason Zillo是唯一一位聽到老吉說這句話的人。

That quickly, Girardi had put aside the Yankees’ first series victory in almost a month and moved to the next job. With 38 games to play, 10 games to make up on Tampa Bay in the division race and five and a half games to make up on Boston in the wild-card race, the Yankees face a difficult, but not insurmountable, task in trying to assure themselves a postseason berth.
很快地，老吉就將洋基近一個月來，首次贏得系列賽勝利的喜悅給放在一旁，繼續埋頭準備接下來的工作。球季剩下38場比賽，目前距離分區第一的光芒隊10場勝差，在外卡的競爭上也落後紅襪5.5場，洋基面臨艱困的處境，但並非是無法克服的，必須非常拼命才有可能保住他們晉級季後賽的希望。

The 2004 Houston Astros are the only team to come from seven games back through 122 games or later to earn a wild-card berth, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Yankees trailed the Red Sox by seven through 122 games, before cutting two games off Boston’s lead by beating Kansas City on Saturday and Sunday.
根據Elias Sports Bureau的資料，2004年的太色人（Houston Astros）是唯一一隻在打完了122場比賽，在外卡排行榜落後了七場勝差，最終還能夠贏得外卡的球隊。洋基在星期六和星期日贏了皇家之後，追近了紅襪兩場，在此之前，洋基打完122場比賽後，也是落後紅襪（目前外卡榜首）七場勝差。

The Yankees can also draw hope from last year’s Philadelphia Phillies, who overtook the collapsing Mets for the National League East title after being seven games back with just 17 to play.
洋基也從去年費城人的例子上看到了希望，去年的費城人在剩下17場的比賽當中，追趕上了在國聯東區領先七場勝差的梅子隊，最終也幹掉了他們。

As the Yankees begin a six-game trip Tuesday night at the Rogers Center, much of what can happen remains within their control, particularly in the more realistic pursuit of the wild card. They face the Red Sox six more times — three times next week at Yankee Stadium, then the final three games of the regular season at Fenway Park.
星期二晚上，洋基將在Rogers Center開始他們六場的客場之旅，是否能夠有番作為就全看他們自己了，特別是在外卡的競爭上依然相當有希望。他們還必須和紅襪正面遭遇六次，下禮拜就有三場比賽在Yankee Stadium，另外三場則是在Fenway Park。

But the Yankees are also entering a stretch in which they will play 16 of their next 22 games on the road, including the makeup of a May 11 rainout at Detroit that begins a 10-day trip to Tampa Bay, Seattle and Anaheim. That could be troublesome for a team that is 28-31 outside the Bronx and dropped 7 of 10 games on its most recent trip.
但洋基也陷入了一連串客場征戰的麻煩，在未來的22場比賽當中，有16場的比賽是客場，其中包含了一場5月11號，面對老虎隊的補賽，然後是連續十天的客場征戰，分別要面對坦帕灣光芒、西雅圖水兵和安納罕天使。這對於球隊來說可能會是個大麻煩，因為今年洋基的客場戰績是28勝31敗，而且在最近十場的客場當中，他們輸了七場比賽。

“We knew we were going to go through this because of all the home games we had in July,” Girardi said. “Back on the road, back to work.”
「我們都知道這是我們將會面臨到的問題（指連續的客場作戰），因為七月份的賽事幾乎都是主場作戰。」老吉說，「重回客場，重新回到作戰崗位上。」

Over all, the Yankees will face teams with winning records in 28 of the final 38 games. Besides two series each against the Rays, the Red Sox and the Blue Jays, the Yankees play the other two divisional leaders, the Angels and the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox (70-53) are tied with Minnesota atop the American League Central.
大致上來說，洋基剩下的38場比賽當中，有28場的比賽將會遭遇到戰績比自己好的球隊。除了面對光芒、紅襪和藍鳥還剩下各兩個系列賽之外，洋基還會遭遇到其他兩個分區的領先者，天使和白襪。白襪目前的戰績（70勝53敗）和雙城並列美聯中區的榜首。（編按：本篇文章截稿時，白襪和雙城是並列分區榜首沒錯，不過今天（台灣時間08/19）賽後，白襪（71-53）暫時領先雙城（70-54）一場勝差。）

Depending on how that race goes, either the White Sox or the Twins will be a wild-card factor, too. Chicago and Minnesota each entered Monday a half-game behind the Red Sox in the wild-card race and four and a half games in front of the Yankees.
依照賽事的發展情形，白襪或是雙城都可能會是外卡的競爭對手之一。截至星期一為止，白襪和雙城分別在外卡排行榜上落後紅襪半場勝差，並且領先洋基四場半的差距。（編按：目前的最新情形是：雙城落後紅襪一場半，領先洋基四場勝差，也就是洋基落後紅襪五場半。）

“You’re constantly reminded, because people are always talking about it,” the Yankees’ captain, Derek Jeter, said. “The teams we’re trying to catch, we play. Bottom line is, if we win our games, we’ll be fine.”
「你總是不斷的被提醒，因為人們總是一直談論著這件事。」洋基隊長說，「面對這些我們試著去追趕的球隊，去打就對了。重要的是，只要我們贏了比賽，那一切就沒問題了。」

Hideki Matsui’s return from an inflamed left knee should help. He was scheduled to be activated from the disabled list in time for Tuesday’s game, and will be a designated hitter for the rest of the season, according to Girardi.
因為左膝腫脹而缺席的大松井即將歸隊，這對球隊來說應該是個幫助。根據老吉的說法，大松井預計將會在星期二的比賽當中離開傷兵名單，並且在未來的比賽擔任指定打擊的工作。

But the Yankees also need better production from their marquee hitters. “If we don’t, we’re not going to win,” said the cleanup hitter Alex Rodriguez. “That’s what it comes down to. Three, four, five in the lineup have to come up big, and we haven’t lately.”
然而，洋基還需要陣中這些鼎鼎大名的強打們提供更多的打點才行。「如果我們做不到，那麼就沒有辦法贏球。」第四棒的阿肉說，「總歸一句話，打線中的三、四、五棒都必須打些大隻的，只是我們最近並沒有辦到。」

Rodriguez’s game-tying three-run homer in the first inning of Sunday’s 15-6 rout of Kansas City was welcome, given his .235 average with runners in scoring position when the day began. Rodriguez batted all five times Sunday with men on base, delivering three hits and five runs batted in and walking twice. Jason Giambi’s grand slam Sunday produced only his third multiple-R.B.I. game since July 2, when he drove in six runs against the Red Sox. Since then, he has hit .211 (20 for 95).
星期天那場以15比6擊潰皇家隊的比賽當中，阿肉在第一局追平比數的三分打點全壘打來的正是時候，即使開賽之前，阿肉得點圈上有跑者的打擊率僅僅只有2成35。阿肉在星期天的比賽當中，五次的打擊機會，壘上都有跑者，他擊出了三支安打，貢獻五分打點，另外還獲得了兩次的保送。大吉的滿貫砲也僅僅是他從7月2號貢獻六分打點擊敗紅襪以來，第三場貢獻兩分以上打點的比賽。從那之後，他的打擊率只有2成11（95打數20支安打）。

Two places ahead of Rodriguez, Jeter went 4 for 4 Sunday, his fourth consecutive multihit game. He has hit .631 (12 for 19, all singles) in that stretch.
第二棒的隊長也在那天打出了四支四的表現，這也是他連續第四場單場兩支（或以上）安打的比賽。在皇家的系列賽中，他繳出了6成31的打擊率（19打數12支安打，全都是一壘安打）。

“You can expect those guys to contribute, because they’ve done it before,” Girardi said.
「你可以預見這些球員們將會持續的對球隊做出貢獻，因為過去他們就是這樣。」老吉說。

But those hitters will have a quick challenge this week, having to face the Blue Jays’ A. J. Burnett on Tuesday and the even more imposing Roy Halladay on Thursday. Halladay shut down the Red Sox on Saturday night at Fenway Park for his 14th victory and 8th complete game of the season.
但是這些打者很快的就會在這個禮拜面臨挑戰，星期二要面對藍鳥的A. J. Burnett，星期四還要面對更難纏的Roy Halladay。Halladay上星期六在Fenway Park完全封鎖了紅襪的打擊，贏得了本季的第14勝，這也是本季他第8場的完投。

Combined, Burnett and Halladay are 4-1 against the Yankees this season. Halladay threw a two-hit shutout against them in mid-July. And the Blue Jays are only two games behind the Yankees in the American League East. So against the odds, and against some very good pitchers, the Yankees will go back on the road this week, traveling uphill.
綜合Burnett和Halladay本季對戰洋基的戰績：4勝1敗。Halladay七月中面對洋基還投出了一場只有兩安打的比賽，而且藍鳥在美聯東區也只落後洋基兩場勝差而已。面對這些不利因素，面對這些表現傑出的投手，洋基將在本週踏上客場征戰的旅程，艱困的旅程。

INSIDE PITCH

CARL PAVANO pitched better than PHIL HUGHES in their Sunday rehabilitation starts, and General Manager BRIAN CASHMAN would not rule out Pavano;s starting for the Yankees on Saturday in Baltimore. Pavano, returning from reconstructive elbow surgery and pitching for Class AA Trenton, held Reading to one run and six hits with six strikeouts in six innings. Hughes, in a start for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowed five runs and eight hits in three and two-thirds innings against Lehigh Valley, the worst team in the International League at 52-76. “That’s why we’ve been getting him ready, so he can come back and pitch for us, whether it’s Saturday or some point beyond that,” Cashman said of Pavano, who has one major league victory since 2005. Pavano is in the final year of a four-year, $39.95 million contract. ... JOBA CHAMBERLAIN accompanied the Yankees to Toronto, where he was expected to continue his throwing program.
痛痛人在星期天的復健賽當中，表現的比大帝要來的好，總經理現金人不排除在星期六面對金鶯的時候讓痛痛人上場投球。從手肘重建手術當中回來的痛痛人，替2A Trenton出賽，主投六局，讓Reading隊擊出六支安打，丟掉一分，但也送出了6K。

在3A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre出賽的大帝，面對International聯盟中，戰績最差的Lehigh Valley（52勝76敗），主投三又三分之二局，被擊出八支安打，掉了五分。

「這就是為什麼我們讓他（痛痛人）做好準備，讓他能夠回來替我們投球，不論是星期六或是在之後的某個時間點。」現金人談到痛痛人的時候這麼說。自2005年以來，痛痛人僅在大聯盟拿到一勝的戰績。今年也是痛痛人簽下四年三千九百九十五萬合約的最後一年。

喬巴會隨洋基前往多倫多，並且持續他的投球練習。

News source：http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/sports/baseball/19yankees.html?ref=baseball