07/13: Yankees @ The Blue Jays; 7/13/08
Posted by: James
5 Games over at the ASB and 5.5 GB of a playoff shot (that's an 18% shot of getting into the playoffs. That's where today's 4-1 loss leaves the Yankees.
If anything, this game was pretty indicative of the Yankees woes this year. The Yankee offense was pretty much non-existent and the Yankees pitching, while ok, just wasn't good enough for the win.
A.J. Burnett, pitching on 3 days rest, came within two outs of a shutout and only gave up one run (a solo shot by Giambi in the 9th) over 8 and a third, giving up six hits, walking and stirking out eight in the process.
For the Yankees, Andy Pettitte took the mound and gave up 4 runs the Blue Jays would score. All the scoring took place in the second, as Kevin Mench doubled to lead off the inning and came home on a Scott Rolen single. An Adam Lind walk put runners on first and second before Marco Scutaro strolled to the plate. Then, in an really odd (and annoying) turn of events, Scutaro tried to get a bunt down and failed (TWICE)...and then, after fouling off a few pitches, homered to left to give the Blue Jays a 4-0 lead.
Going into the ASB at 5 over when they could have been making up ground on the Rays (who just finished losing 7 straight) is just plain disappointing. Catching the Red Sox for the AL East will be an achievement...but people really shouldn't be banking on a straight freefall from the Rays. Yes, they just lost 7 straight...but they are still in command of the Wildcard spot even after that horrific run. They have a good hitting, good fielding young team...and a nice list of prospects that they are apparently ready to part with to shore up their team for the stretch run. Heck, there are rumors of a trade from Oakland that would add Huston Street and Matt Murton to the team for a few prospects. This is going to be a tough and certainly interesting second half of the season...so here's to hoping that it's not as frustrating as the first half of this season.
If anything, this game was pretty indicative of the Yankees woes this year. The Yankee offense was pretty much non-existent and the Yankees pitching, while ok, just wasn't good enough for the win.
A.J. Burnett, pitching on 3 days rest, came within two outs of a shutout and only gave up one run (a solo shot by Giambi in the 9th) over 8 and a third, giving up six hits, walking and stirking out eight in the process.
For the Yankees, Andy Pettitte took the mound and gave up 4 runs the Blue Jays would score. All the scoring took place in the second, as Kevin Mench doubled to lead off the inning and came home on a Scott Rolen single. An Adam Lind walk put runners on first and second before Marco Scutaro strolled to the plate. Then, in an really odd (and annoying) turn of events, Scutaro tried to get a bunt down and failed (TWICE)...and then, after fouling off a few pitches, homered to left to give the Blue Jays a 4-0 lead.
Going into the ASB at 5 over when they could have been making up ground on the Rays (who just finished losing 7 straight) is just plain disappointing. Catching the Red Sox for the AL East will be an achievement...but people really shouldn't be banking on a straight freefall from the Rays. Yes, they just lost 7 straight...but they are still in command of the Wildcard spot even after that horrific run. They have a good hitting, good fielding young team...and a nice list of prospects that they are apparently ready to part with to shore up their team for the stretch run. Heck, there are rumors of a trade from Oakland that would add Huston Street and Matt Murton to the team for a few prospects. This is going to be a tough and certainly interesting second half of the season...so here's to hoping that it's not as frustrating as the first half of this season.
Seamus wrote: