Mark Melancon was called up from Triple-A today to help a tired Yankee bullpen. In a 12-3 blowout of the White Sox, it was a perfect opportunity to make a debut. He tossed a perfect eighth inning, but Joe Girardi kept him in for the ninth and Paul Konerko made him pay with a three-run homer.
Eighth inning: He used 11 fastballs and two curveballs to retire Jayson Nix, Juan Pierre and Mark Kotsay in order. His 12-to-6 curve caught Nix looking for his first and only strikeout of the season.
Ninth inning: He got Mark Teahen, Carlos Quentin and A.J. Pierzynski out in order on five fastballs and two changeups. But that was after a ball scooted under Ramiro Pena’s glove, Andruw Jones made it to first on what he thought was a foul ball, and Paul Konerko drilled a home run in the second deck in left.
Many beat writers have said great things about the 25-year-old and that he could be last year’s equivalent to David Robertson. I’ve also been a big fan of Melancon and hope he remains in the Yankee bullpen for years to come.
After a brilliant start to the year with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (3-0, 1.76 ERA in 15 1-3 innings), he was the obvious guy to call up. However, he may not be up for long as Joe Girardi may not be comfortable with Randy Winn as the lone backup outfielder.
The speedster Greg Golson is likely the first outfielder to be promoted.
