Al Leiter couldn't get out of the first inning, giving up 6 earned runs over 2/3 of an inning pitched. Jorge De Paula (his first appearance of the year) would relieve him and eat up 5 and 1/3 innings, allowing 6 earned runs of his own, before giving way to Wayne Franklin, who pitched the final 2 innings scoreless and retired every batter he faced.

In the end, all the A's needed was 1 run because the Yankees couldn't even score that. The Yankees' 7 hits and 5 walks amounted to nil. Matt Lawton went 2 for 2 and was the only Yankee (or lineup spot) to pick up more than 1 hit. Jeter, Sierra, Womack, Posada and Cano were the other Yankees to pick up hits. Mark Bellhorn got 2 ABs playing shortstop and John Flaherty got some time at first. Wil Nieves got his first MLB action as a Yankee. 16 position players were used, as the starters were pulled as the game was deemed out of reach.

We now find ourselves 1 game back in the Wild Card race and 3.5 back in the division. Aaron Small (5-0, 3.03) returns to the rotation today, making his first start since August 10. He'll face Kirk Saarloos (9-6, 3.98). A win will give us a share of the Wild Card lead.