Guys, that catch was a close one. Did he catch it? Technically maybe, but that was a borderline trap/ball on the ground type of catch. It was a ballsy call by the ump, but all controversy was wiped out when Coco caught the game ending ball.

Kyle Lohse? Dave Duncan created this year’s model of Lohse. I don’t think Eiland is Duncan . If the Yanks had Mazzone as pitching coach AND picked up Lohse different story mates.

In essence, the Yanks have a tough road ahead because even if they want someone like AJ Burnett, JP Ricciardi will ask for at very least the moon. And is Cashman ready to get rid of prospects for the sake of this year’s playoff chances?

To me there wasn’t any doubt as it happened it was a catch. There was no bounce! Plus, I’ve seen Crisp make these plays so many times it doesn’t take partisan eyes to see it as a catch.

I’ve been trying to think of another game nearly derailed by a horrific call by the ump, and all I can remember is Denkinger in the WS.

It would have been really tough to accept “that’s baseball!” had something happened to keep the Yanks alive.

~~If Abreu had hit the homer, how would you have reacted to the inevitable protests over the blown call on Crisp’s catch? ~~

FWIW, when that catch was first made, seeing it live, in real time, I thought it was a trap too. It was not until I saw the slow-mo replay that I realized it was a catch. So, I can see why Wally Bell made the call that he did. It was some play by Crisp. That’s why it was such a tough call. I would think that any fan would realize that one.

If Abreu had hit the homer, how would you have reacted to the inevitable protests over the blown call on Crisp’s catch? That was egregiously bad – the ball didn’t land in the web, the glove was far underneath the ball as it landed in the pocket. I’ll admit that for an instant I was afraid, but once the camera went to Crisp you knew he had it.

Anyway – the problem going forward is Rasner. I think that the clock is striking midnight and he is what he is – a guy who is almost always going to allow a boatload of runners, and therefore he will always be a bad pitch away from blowing up a game.

I honestly think that the Yankees best bet is that Ponson pitches like he did in Texas. As unlikely as that seems, it seems more likely than Rasner giving them consistent starts. I don’t know who takes over the five spot, maybe Kennedy if he appears to get his stuff together. One thing is clear – Rasner and Ponson are unlikely to be the return of Chacon and Small.