A Calm Kennedy and a Fiery Girardi

Last night Ian Kennedy looked liked the guy we've been hearing about for the last two years:  confident in the strike zone, attacking the plate.  Unfortunately he didnt get the W but he certainly pitched well thru 6 solid innings in a quality start.  The most impressive thing to me was his confidence in sticky situations.  He certainly was cautious, but he didnt back away.  Those rough patches, however, did eat away at some of his economy leaving after six with approx 100 pitches.  A few more starts like this one and they can focus on lengthening him out a bit.

Speaking of length, it seems like a real long time since Robbie Cano did something memorable at the plate - adda' boy, Robbie.  His stroke has been suring up as of late although his production isnt translating, either way it was good to see him in that spot last night and producing in walk off fashion.

And as Skip was walking off the field in an early exit I was pleased with his performance.  Trust me, I adore Joe Torre, always have, always will, but if there was ever something missing from time to time it was a dramatic pump 'em up ejection during slumps, etc.  Now, Torre had his share, but it was his calm in the face of the storm that was more the backbone of his reputation.  I think we'll see a lot more fire from Girardi - and I enjoyed seeing it last night.

The call leading to Girardi's ejection was suspect enough, but my problem was more with the nature of how the call was made.  Guccione (the home plate ump) can't delay and then motion in perfect agreement with the catcher after the catcher claims a caught fall tip.  If the ump jumps out and makes the call first, right or wrong, Girardi doesnt get anywhere near as hot in my opinion.  It was a poorly called bad call, these things happen.

Well, it's two straight from my beloved Bombers and now Seattle comes to town - Go Yanks!