Random Thoughts-Game 44

-I’m already hearing reports from people who went to Sunday’s game that the Yanks are putting tarps up around the facility to try to cut down on the wind tunnel effect. Although their efforts apparently weren’t enough to prevent the ballpark’s latest absurdity, a broken bat HR by Tex off Philly starter Cole Hamels in the 6th.

-In case you missed it, here’s Paps’ temper tantrum from last night’s Mets game.

I know, you’re shocked by such behavior coming from him, as are we all.

-I’m very impressed by the Phils in every aspect of the game. Far more than I am by this year’s edition of the Red Sox. The Phillies catch everything, they steal bases, and hit for power with the best of them. They have enough pitching to get where they need to go, and I think Lidge will settle down and be fine as the season progresses. Ibanez will come back down to Earth, and I’ll be interested to see how J. A. Happ fares in his second time around the league. They may need a starter or two by the mid season deadline, but you could say the same for the Mets. They’re a very, very good team that will play even better in the playoffs.

-We can stop the death watch on Phil Hughes, where every start he is pitching for his MLB job. Girardi made clear on the ‘Joe Girardi Show’ after the game that they are taking things very slow with Chien Ming Wang, and that they want to see him all the way back before putting him in the rotation. Phil Hughes is the Yankees 5th starter for the foreseeable future.

-Girardi also said the Damaso Marte has begun his throwing program, so figure he’s a few weeks away from being activated. I’d expect them to take the Wang/Bruney route with him  and let him pitch a few minor league games before activating him.

-Very tough to figure out what’s going on with Bruney. According to him, they’ve eliminated the ligament as a possible source of the soreness, which is good. But he’s still had two setbacks after the initial elbow pain, which he said at the beginning wasn’t all that serious. Now he’s suffered yet another setback, where he still felt pain in a throwing session before todays game. But at this point, he’s looking at pitching through it since there appears to be no risk of further injury.