Noesi shines in loss

The Yanks fell to the Sox, 6-4, in the opener of their three-game set, but there were some positives to come out of the loss. Mainly Hector Noesi.

NoeCY threw six innings of relief after Fabulous Freddy was anything but fabulous. Over the six frames, he gave up only two runs on three hits with a strikeout and a walk. Following a two-run homer from Ortiz, Noesi actually retired 13 batters in a row…14 if you include Ellsbury trying to stretch a double into a triple.

He did a great job of saving the bullpen and certainly made a case for himself if a rotation spot should open up.

The last Yankee pitcher to toss six innings of relief was none other than Scranton’s all-time wins leader Kei Igawa on 4/28/07 against the Red Sox in relief of Jeff Karstens.

Another plus was Posada, who played first base after Tex got beaned (more on that later) and went 3-for-3, drove in a run and scored. His average is now at .195, the highest its been since early April. He also recorded his first two hits off a lefty (Lester) this season; he came in 0-for-27 hitting righty but is now 2-for-2. It was his second appearance this season at first and the 30th of his career.

Jeter had a pair of singles (although one could have easily been an error) and is now 12 hits from 3,000. He hasn’t struck out in 57 plate appearances, the longest such streak of his career; the last time he whiffed was 5/24 against the Blue Jays.

Swish Dog also had a good game — 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Cano drive in the other run.

Gardy had a huge pinch-hit walk and later scored on Posada’s single during a rally that fell short in the ninth. It was too little too late, but it was good seeing them not give up.

With the good comes the bad, and there was plenty tonight:

Fab Fred lasted just 1 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on as many hits with three walks and one strikeout. He looked lost out there. His ERA is still a respectable 3.86 (Lester’s is 3.98), but I hope this outing isn’t a sign of things to come.

Garcia has made 312 MLB starts and this was the second shortest. It was the shortest outing by a Yankee in a non-injury start since Hughes went 1 2/3 against the Orioles on 5/9/09. The last time a Yankee starter allowed at least five runs while getting five or fewer outs was on 6/26/87 when Tommy John gave up eight runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Tex was beaned on the right knee in the first inning and left the game. X-rays were negative and his injury is listed as a right knee contusion, he’s day-to-day. He’ll be re-evaluated tomorrow, but Girardi doesn’t expect him to go on the DL. The manager did say that Tex will probably need a few days of rest before he’s ready to play again though.

After tearing it up the first two months, Grandy has struck out in 10 of his 19 at-bats in June with just two hits over that span. He was 0-for-4 with three Ks, a BB and a run tonight.

Another Yankee who started off hot but has cooled off is Russell Martin, who was also beaned in the first inning but stayed in. He went 1-for-3 tonight and is 2 for his last 27 (eight games) with one RBI, two runs scored and five walks with seven strikeouts.

A-Rod, who struck out as the tying run to end the game, went 0-for-5 and is hitless in his last eight at-bats.

The Yanks had 11 base runners against Lester in six innings but finagled just three runs. Speaking of which, Lester has allowed 67 base runners in his last 35 innings.

These two teams will get back at it tomorrow at 7:05 with AJ going against Tim Wakefield. Don’t be surprised if AJ retaliates for the Tex and Martin beanings (and Ortiz’ showboating on his home run).

LET’S GO YANKS!!!!