06/05: Yanks get roughed up by O's in finale of series
Posted by: David
Aaron Small just doesn't have it this year. Last year he was 10-0 and largely responsible for the Yankees winning the American League East. Yesterday afternoon in Baltimore he lasted only 2.2 innings and surrendered seven runs including home runs to Javy Lopez, Kevin Millar and Bradon Fahey. For a pitcher that doesn't throw hard, location is critical and Small has just left too many pitches in batter's happy zones this year.
He gave up single runs in the first and second which included the home run by Lopez but in the third, the O's struck for five runs highlighted by a three run dinger from Kevin Millar. Matt Smith relieved for one inning and was not scored upon. Scott Erickson followed and was touched for Javy Lopez' second round tripper of the day, this time a three run blast to put Baltimore ahead 10-0.
The Yankees struck back but couldn't get the really big hit to make it close. Kevin Thompson hit a three run double in the seventh to make it 10-4 but in the eighth the Yankees loaded the bases with no one out but did not score a run when Todd Williams induced Miguel Cairo to hit back to the mound and he snagged the ball with his bare hand and turned it into an inning ending 1-2-3 double play. The Orioles added one more run late and the game ended at 11-4.
Derek Jeter was hit on the right hand with a pitch and left the game. It was reported that X-Rays taken were negative and he has a bruised thumb. He is listed as day-to-day. All Yankees fans are hoping he will be available for the Red Sox series starting tonight at the stadium. It looks like a great pitching matchup on paper with Josh Beckett facing Mike Mussina in a nationally televised game to be seen on ESPN.
He gave up single runs in the first and second which included the home run by Lopez but in the third, the O's struck for five runs highlighted by a three run dinger from Kevin Millar. Matt Smith relieved for one inning and was not scored upon. Scott Erickson followed and was touched for Javy Lopez' second round tripper of the day, this time a three run blast to put Baltimore ahead 10-0.
The Yankees struck back but couldn't get the really big hit to make it close. Kevin Thompson hit a three run double in the seventh to make it 10-4 but in the eighth the Yankees loaded the bases with no one out but did not score a run when Todd Williams induced Miguel Cairo to hit back to the mound and he snagged the ball with his bare hand and turned it into an inning ending 1-2-3 double play. The Orioles added one more run late and the game ended at 11-4.
Derek Jeter was hit on the right hand with a pitch and left the game. It was reported that X-Rays taken were negative and he has a bruised thumb. He is listed as day-to-day. All Yankees fans are hoping he will be available for the Red Sox series starting tonight at the stadium. It looks like a great pitching matchup on paper with Josh Beckett facing Mike Mussina in a nationally televised game to be seen on ESPN.
