It appears that the umpires are part of that Yankee luck you mention. How can the home plate umpire keep calling that outside pitch a strike, over and over again? It's gotta be frustrating as a hitter. The strike zone appears to be wider when Pettite pitches.

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Pete's reply: David Hernandez definitely benefitted from the big strike zone, too.

The strike zone does not appear to be wider when Pettite pitches.. it is wider

Great call by DT to leave Hernandez in to pitch the 6th. The guy has turned in a pretty great performance considering things didn't look good early with his high pitch count.

Hernandez just made quick work of the Yanks in the 6th, using only 7 pitches. But he's at 103 total for the game now. So this will be a test of Trembley's philosophy. I see no reason to take him out, but we all know that Trembley doesn't like to let his starters go much past 100. If he puts in a new pitcher to start the 7th, and that pitcher gives up a run, the Trembley haters will be out in full force!

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Pete's reply: There were plenty of reasons to take him out. He had thrown 103 high-stress pitches, he had given up a home run to the LH guy leading off the seventh and seeing him for the third time. Right move for a lot of reasons. Wrong move only in hindsight if Hendrickson melts down.

Brian Roberts now has an average below .086 with 2 outs and RISP after his last at bat.

That is absolutely pathetic.

Then again, he did get married in the offseason so I should give him a pass, right Pete?

Me thinks you have finally run out of excuses for him. Marriage? That's even ridiculous for you.

His average is now .276 or so yet you give him a "B" for the year and call him top flight.

How can you give him an above average grade when he's having a less than average year for himself. Your grades were hilarious even when you say it didn't take into account other teams and players.

If you were really grading that way, Roberts would get a C to C- based on what we should expect from him.

Yes or no?

Tough seeing the vets waste opportunities with men on (Roberts, Huff have really been struggling of late).

Nice performance by Hernandez in a hitter's park.

Are Weiters/Hendrickson the all-time tallest battery?

ANOTHER baserunning blunder.

Izturis had no idea where that ball was.

That manager really instilling those baseball fundamentals!

Can this team find any other ways to lose?

Hey Brian, if you don't touch the plate you are gonna be called out.

Hate to do this to you Pete, but Anonymous Mark is right on the money.
Here are Roberts' stats with RISP and 2 outs:
RISP w/2 Outs:
3 for 35 with a double, 4 RBI and 12 Ks.
He might have been otherwise hyperbolic, but the number was right.

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Pete's reply: You're right. I looked at the wrong line. I was peeved at anonymous Mark for his tone. He didn't bother to point out, by the way, that Brian came into the game hitting better than .500 with RISP and less than two outs.

Pete:
You're a man to admit when you're wrong, and you're certainly right more often than not.

In fact, I was shocked his avg. with RISP and 2 outs was so low.

I know the stats don't support it (at least not last time I checked) but something about Roberts hitting from the right side seems off. He just seems like a different hitter as a left-hander. More patient, better cuts, more balance? I have always thought that he'd be a better hitter as a lefty against left-handed pitchers.

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Pete's reply: He's not having his best year. I've said that a number of times, but Mark was taunting me and I shouldn't have responded to it. I was watching the game and looked up the wrong stat, so my bad.

I understand -
but no thoughts on my point about him hitting exclusively left-handed?
(I'm not under the impression my suggestion will get Crow running into Trembley's office, but just wondering your thoughts.)
Can't believe you let anonymous inciters like Mark get to you, Peter ... don't tell me the O's don't frustrate you.

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Pete's reply: Other than home runs, his overall stats are almost identical from both sides, so I don't see why he would do that.

Taunting?

I presented you with facts and strong opinions and you ripped me right back. I can take it just fine. You were wrong on it.

And I still want to know how you can give Roberts an above average grade for the 1st half. Is he really having an "above average" in your eyes? If so, please explain.

And I'm sorry, but your marriage/children excuse for Roberts and Markakis is grasping as straws at best and is quite a reach.

And just what kind of tone would you expect from a rabid fan who just witnessed another meltdown on the basepaths by two veterans that led directly to another brutal loss?

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Pete's reply: My tone is respectful of the posters and I expect the same in return. You addressed me in a ridiculing tone and I responded. Yes, I misread a stat. My bad. And you failed to point out that Brian Roberts hits over .500 with runners in scoring position and less than two outs and .324 overall -- which is way above average -- so you're agenda was clear. I think Brian is a good player. You obviously don't. Let's agree to disagree.

No problem removing Hernandez after 103 (stress) pitches. We have young pitchers who are not yet used to pitching much beyond the 100 pitch count. We need to protect them for the long run. Unfortunately, that is the was it is nowadays. They have to build up their arm strength in the majors and that takes a year or two or three. Need to think long term not just this year.

Roberts' .781 OPS ranks 12th among starting 2nd basemen in the league.

That is not top flight. It just isn't.

And it's definitely not in line with the huge contract he just signed.

Sorry, but I expect more a guy making 10 million a year.

Maybe you don't.

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Pete's reply: So, you would have given him a C or D. Fine. That's your opinion and you have every right to it.

Pete's reply: My tone is respectful of the posters and I expect the same in return. I think Brian is a good player. You obviously don't. Let's agree to disagree.

Do you think he is a $10 million per year for the next 4 years player?

It could argued that Roberts is the 4th best 2nd baseman in his own division with the likes of Pedroia/Hill/Cano.

Sorry, but I see a case of the hometown overvaluing here.

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Pete's reply: Of course they paid Brian and Nick more to keep them here. Was that what you were getting at? Why didn't you say so. That was pointed out by a ton of people right from the start.

Pete's reply: So, you would have given him a C or D. Fine. That's your opinion and you have every right to it.

Again Peter. If you would please explain how you can give a guy an above average grade when in fact you even say he's not having a great year.

If I told you Roberts would have a .276 avg and .345 OBP halfway through the year, would you really tell me he's having an above average year? Because that's what a B is.

And RISP with 2 outs is the clutch moments that win games Peter. You know it and I know it. Tonight was another example. Twice he did it. 3 for 35? That's mind boggling bad and not acceptable.

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Pete's reply: You know what. You're one of those people who won't up until someone tells them they're right. I've grown weary of this and have much to do other than argue with you. You have stated your opinion on Brian. I have stated mine. I've given you a lot of time. Let's move on.

Mark/Peter:
You're actually both right. Roberts has not been very good at all of late. He did start the season red-hot, but he's only been hitting about .250 since April. He does seem like he's a little too comfortable with his new contract at times.

Still, he's a very good player, it's ridiculous to even argue otherwise. Hopefully he's just having a bad couple months.

Oh, and Peter - I looked more into Brian's stats as a lefty and a righty and they are not close over his career:
.258 as a righty
.295 as a lefty

His OPS is 100 points higher as a lefty as well (about .800 vs. about .700).

I guess the greater question I have does not necessarily concern Brian. I think there are guys that are clearly better hitters from one side of the plate, but see it as a tool to switch sides. Is it possible the lefty-righty thing is flawed in these cases?

Pete's reply: Of course they paid Brian and Nick more to keep them here. Was that what you were getting at? Why didn't you say so. That was pointed out by a ton of people right from the start.

The contract is just a part of it.

The overall point is that Roberts isn't nearly the top flight 2b that you and others make him out to be. He's being paid like one but he isn't one.

Would you agree that OPS is probably the best measurement of a player? Maybe you won't but to me it's the best and to almost everyone in your line of work have said it.

He ranks 12th Peter. That's average.

His demeanor on the field is terrible. His lack of hustle down the line is shockingly bad. You keep repeated it's just bad body language but my eyes tell me he flat out doesn't run much too often.

His fielding, while not awful, has been spotty and there have been FAR too many balls that have gotten through when Roberts isn't pushing hard to get to it. You can see it.

Add to that the fact he just signed a monster deal and you have a disgruntled fan.

And when I see some of the excuses thrown around, it sets me off.

Pete's reply: You know what. You're one of those people who won't up until someone tells them they're right. I've grown weary of this and have much to do other than argue with you. You have stated your opinion on Brian. I have stated mine. I've given you a lot of time. Let's move on.

And you're a guy with an opportunity to voice your opinions on a 50,000 watt radio station who is telling me the sky is green when I know it's blue.

The proof is in the pudding.

I guess we'll see if Roberts lives up to his 40 + million dollar deal.

Somehow I think you believe he will and he already is.

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Pete's reply: Since you clearly have no respect for me, could you now move on to some other blog please.

Peter:
Instead of wasting your energy dealing with Mark's repetitiveness, you should be responding to my witty, insightful, slightly romantic and groundbreaking posts.

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Pete's reply: Indeed. He just got under my skin.

Mark Are you kidding me? Roberts is one of our best players and while his numbers are not what they used to be, they are better than average in most areas. I will agree that he is slumping a bit as of late but I guarantee he find his swing and start hitting again. Dont hate on the guy for his out at home plate tonight , it was an aggressive play by Roberts and a even better play by the catcher/pitcher.

Mark Are you kidding me? Roberts is one of our best players and while his numbers are not what they used to be, they are better than average in most areas. I will agree that he is slumping a bit as of late but I guarantee he find his swing and start hitting again. Dont hate on the guy for his out at home plate tonight , it was an aggressive play by Roberts and a even better play by the catcher/pitcher.

No, Im not kidding you. Brian Roberts play since the first month of the year has been terrible. Take a look at his numbers since April. We're talking almost 3 months now. He's supposed to be a leader and he falls far short in that category too. I wouldn't want any player emulating Roberts and his lackidasical style.

If Roberts barrels into Coke, he's safe.

HE MISSED THE PLATE for crying out loud.

Peter: Are you that thin skinned? Move to another blog? Why? You don't like to be challenged by anyone?

That line of thinking is exactly why we see what we are seeing over and over from this team. Nobody challenges them.

I vehemently disagree with your view of this team. Nothing less, nothing more.

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Pete's reply: No, I'm not thin-skinned at all and you're welcome to post all you want, but I've got better things to do than argue with someone who tries to talk down to me and treats me derisively. I work hard on this blog, my column and radio show to create an environment where everyone can have their say, and it's more fun to argue than to agree, but you're nasty asides about my judgment were not appreciated. I did make a mistake in my first answer to you -- because I'm looking stuff up and trying to answer as many posters as I can -- but I gave you way more time than other people on the blog and you just stayed nasty and continued to insist I either agree with you or spend a bunch of time justifying a letter grade in a graphic from a week ago. Don't have the time or inclination to continue with that. You do what you want. If you want interaction, I generally don't respond well to ridicule.

Get 'em, Pete! The blog is much appreciated.

Time for your medication, Mark....