Game 53 - Yanks Fail in the Clutch

The Yanks lost to Texas 4-2 and it can be contributed to 2 at bats that cost them the game.  With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 3rd and the Yanks trailing 4-1, ARod grounded into a double play on a 3-1 pitch that was likely ball 4 after Texas pitcher, Matt Feldman, walked the bases loaded.  Then ARod followed that terrible performance by striking out with Johnny Damon on 3rd and one out in the 6th.  It appears the Yankees are slumping again with runners in scoring position, which led to their mediocre start to the season.   

Andy Pettitte's performance wasn't any better - he surrendered 3 runs in the 1st and another one in the 2nd, but it could have been much worse.  He got out of a first and second with no out jam in the 3rd and walked the bases loaded in the 4th.  In 5 innings of work, he yielded 7 hits and 6 walks.  13 base runners!  He did record 6 Ks, which helped limit the damage.  

On the bright side, Jorge Posada homered for the 2nd straight game.  Brett Tomko pitched 3 scoreless innings, giving the Yanks a fighting chance to get back in the game.  He's sporting a 2.16 ERA in 8.1 innings and could be a valuable reliever who could hold the fort down and spare the rest of the bullpen.

Other notes:  Red Sox won their 3rd straight game, beating Detroit 10-5 and tying the Yanks for first.  Josh Beckett pitched a no-hitter into the 7th.   Of course, the Red Sox will dodge Justin Verlander tomorrow in the series finale.  God continues to shine on this overrated team.  They've already ducked Roy Halladay twice this season, but the earth would freeze over before Halladay's turn didn't come up in a Yankee series.  

How come every time I turn on the XM radio baseball channel, they're interviewing either Pirates GM Neal Huntington or their manager, John Russell.   The Pirates?  C'mon, the Pirates?  I keep hearing callers complain that all they talk about is Sox and Yanks, but I hardly ever hear these teams mentioned.  I would actually prefer some good Sox talk, besides the perfunctory Ortiz is in a slump banter, then to hear once again how the Pirates are rebuilding.

And the Pirates trade of Nate McLouth - did the Yanks get to kick the tires on that one?  He sure would have looked good patrolling CF in the Bronx.  

Yankees Record:  31-22