Yankees lose a tough one

Back when he managed the Mets, the Ol' Perfessor, Casey Stengal, once asked, "Can anyone here play this game?"

That keeps turning over and over in my mind following some of the recent debacles in Baltimore. Monday, the team couldn't buy a hit, it seemed, and last night, they couldn't get anyone out. Twice, the pitching staff blew 4 run leads.

And, in extra innings, Hawkins blew a save.

The Yankee hitters exploded for 15 hits an 9 runs, including HRs by Giambi, Abreu, Rodriguez, and Damon. But it wasn't enough as Ian Kennedy gave up 4 runs (3 earned) in his 3 innings of work. He suffered an injury (surprise, another Yankee on the DL) and Ohlendorf came in. He was even worse than Kennedy, and that's saying a lot. Ohlendorf was rocked for 3 homers in the bottom of the 5th. He managed to turn an 8-4 Yankee lead into a tie in his 2.1 innings. That was all the scoring until the 11th when the Yankees took the lead in the top of the inning, only to have Hawkins come in and get tagged for 2 runs to lose the game.


Some highlights:

Damon continued his hot hitting with 4 hits in 5 trips to the plate, including 2 doubles and a HR. Giambi belted a HR to go with a double, as his average creeps towards respectability. In fact every Yankee starting player had a hit (except, as usual, Molina)

Today, Pettitte starts, and Joba is expected to get some work as he continues getting ready for his starting role. (7:05 YES)

Go Yankees

Yankees follow blueprint and win

Yesterday everything went according to plan, which means the Yankees blasted home runs, and the starting pitcher gave them almost 6 innings (actual blueprint for success calls for 7 strong innings, but at this point, take what we can get.)
Moose did ok, then Ohlendorf held the lead until turning it over to Joba and Mo. Mo continues to be "lights out" as he has not allowed a run yet in his 9 saves.

It would be nice to say the offense really came through by scoring 6 runs, but I am a little disappointed. Giambi, Cano, Damon, and Betemit all homered, while Cano chipped in with a double, too. With that kind of power explosion, the team should have pushed across anywhere from 8 to 12 runs or more.

Today, the Yankees go into Comerica Park and try to get even for getting swept last week by these same Tigers.

Igawa gets his first start of the season against Kenny Rogers. I'm looking for a lot of Yankee runs, and, unfortunately, probably a lot of Yankee relievers.

Matsui quietly continues having a good year. His average is up to .345, and once the offense gets going, I'm sure his RBI total will start to rise. Right now, he is on a pace for a respectable total, but below his usual 100+.




Go Yankees

Yankees make it 2 in a row

Yesterday's win was a big one. It finally got the team back to .500. And, they started to hit as they combined for 13 base knocks, 9 of which were singles. Moose pitched well, picking up his third win by pitching 6 innings of one run ball. I hate to complain following a nice win (6-1) but this is Seattle, not one of the strongest teams around. Damon had 2 doubles and a HR, the rest of the team just some singles. Seattle played sloppy, and I would have liked to see the Yankees do a little more. 20LOB is sad.

Today Rasner (0-0) starts against Silva (3-0) at the Cathedral of Baseball.

1:05 0n YES.

Go Yankees

Yankee losses keep piling up

For the first time since 1966, the Yankees were swept by the Tigers in a 3 game series. And the hitting woes continue. The first 2 batters, Damon and Jeter, got on and scored on Abreu's HR. That was pretty much it for the day as they only managed 8 singles the rest of the day.
Kennedy didn't help as he, again, didn't get out of the 5th inning. This is going to start taxing the pen, as Yankee starters have been very inconsistent with getting into the 7th inning. All the Yankees injured isn't helping either, as Hughes is out until July, A-Rod is on the 15 day, Bruney is looking at an August return at best, and no one knows when Posada will be back.

Tonight, Wang (5-0) gets the nod vs Bedard (2-0) as the Yankees take on Seattle at the big ball park in the South Bronx.

In what has been a dismal season, thus far, here is some good news. Former Yankee all-star Bobby Murcer is returning to the broadcast booth tonight. The doctors have said his cancer is in remission, and while he is weak, he is showing improvement every day.

Go Yankees