Another game, another bonfire by the Yankee bullpen. The Yanks were up 4-0 going into the 6th inning when Andy Pettitte, with 2 out and runners on second and third, gave up a single to Angels backup catcher, Jeff Mathis. Pettitte departed with the bases loaded and a slim 4-2 lead. Mark Melancon, on his first pitch, threw a meatball down the pipe that Gary Matthews, Jr. ripped in the gap for a bases clearing double. From there, things got worse.
Trailing 6-4 after Melancon’s terrible 1/3 inning performance, Jose Veras relieved in the 7th and apparently is still suffering with the “Walk the First Batter” disease. From there, he kept adding kindling to the fire, giving up 3 runs in his pathetic 2/3 inning. Edwar Ramirez acted as an accomplice during this act of arson, giving up a single to the first batter he faced, allowing the Angels to extend their league to 9-4. Girardi looked like he was about to throw up in the dugout, watching the bullpen self implode, yet again. The relievers are toting a hefty E.R.A. over 6.50. They’re ranked 13th in the league. Who’s worse? Luckily for the Yanks - the Angels, as evidenced by their generous gift by handing the game to the Yanks tonight.
The rally began in the 8th inning. Key hits by Cabrera, Pena, and a Jeter groundout brought the Yanks to within 1 run. Suddenly, this team was showing life and someone must have kidnapped the real Cabrera, because he’s gotten bases loaded hits in back-to-back nights. In the 9th, Yankee reliever, Jonathan Albaladejo did what many considered the impossible for any reliever tonight: he had a 1-2-3 inning. The Yankee comeback against Angel stopper Brian Fuentes started with a walk by Teixeira. Tex may be hitting on the interstate, but he’s still getting his walks. Matsui singled, and Cano, another guy hitting well but struggling in clutch, also singled. Teixeira should have scored on the play, but froze for a second on the liner hit up the middle. Posada came through with a 2-run single on a full count, giving the Yankees a well fought comeback win.
Yankee Bomber Doghouse: Picking on the relievers is too easy. So is blaming the manager, Joe Girardi. The finger pointing starts with GM Brian Cashman. I don’t understand how a $200M team can be stocked with a $1.50 bullpen. Cashman has not spent or traded wisely, when it comes to the pen. His list includes Kyle Farnsworth, Damaso Marte, the second coming of an overaged Mike Stanton, Flash Gordon, Paul Quantrill, Scott Proctor, etc, etc. This team is not shy about throwing money around - why start pinching pennies with the bullpen, especially in a league who’s main purpose is to wait out the starting pitchers to feast on bullpen fodder? The bullpen will need to step in the coming week. Games against the Bosox, Rays and Orioles may demonstrate exactly where this Yankee team will stand this season.
Other notes: Evan Longoria owns the Sox - 4 HRs and 13 RBIs already this season. Are the Nationals still a team in the National League?
Yankees Record: 13-10
No comments:
Post a Comment