Game 69 - CC Leaves Game Early; Yanks Struggles Continue

CC Sabathia left the game in the 2nd inning with tightness in his left biceps while the Yankee hitters mentally left the game after the 3rd inning. The Bombers built an early 3-1 lead on a 2-run single by ARod in the 3rd. However, after Brett Gardner's infield single in the fourth, they didn't scratch out another hit till the last frame when their rally fell just short, losing 6-5 to the Marlins.

Alfredo Aceves relieved CC in the 2nd and pitched a brilliant 2.2 shutout innings. Joe Girardi brought in Brett Tomko to start the 5th, saving Phil Hughes for the 8th inning. Brian Bruney pitched Friday and warmed up yesterday according to Girardi and wasn't going to pitch today. Tomko, though, through a wrench into Girardi's plans, surrendering 3 runs on 2 dingers in 2 innings of work, giving Florida a 4-3 lead after 6 innings. Relievers Phil Coke and David Robertson didn't fare any better in the 7th, giving up 2 critical runs that ultimately led to the Yanks downfall. One of the runs scored on an ill-advised throw to the plate by Melky Cabrera, allowing the Marlins' 6th and deciding run to score.

Unfortunately for the Yanks, their bats didn't wake up again till there were 2 outs in the 9th. Jorge Posada and Melky Cabrera extended the inning with singles before Brett Gardner laced a triple into the RF gap for 2 runs. Johnny Damon came in to pinch hit and walked, leaving the game in the hands of The Captain, Derek Jeter - the man most Yankee fans prefer to see at the plate when the game is on the line. Jeter, however, ended the game on a grounder to short, curtailing any hopes for a miraculous comeback.

Red Sox, Rays, and Jays all won today, as the Pinstripers fell back 4 games. They still lead the wild card over the Rangers by a half game, with the Jays and Rays nipping on their heels.

So what's happened to this team lately? Since the calendar hit June, they've stopped hitting and fielding. In each of their last 10 games, the starters have hit the following: Jeter - .300, Damon - .205, Tex - .231, ARod - a team worst .114, Cano - .375, Posada - .200, Melky - .229 and Swisher - .206. With the exception of Jeter and Cano, no one is even hitting .250. Cano's and Jeter's stats don't look bad due to their respective big game in the 15-0 blowout game against the Mets last Sunday. Since the Yanks ML record setting 18-game errorless streak, they've made an error in nearly every game since.

Does GM Brian Cashman have to look for another bat to jump start this team? I'd love to see Mark DeRosa in a Yankee uniform to spell ARod at 3B, motivate Cano at 2B and send either a struggling Melky or Swisher to the bench. Hopefully, Xavier Nady can provide a jolt when/if he returns from the DL. In the meantime, Brett Gardner went 2-4 with a triple and has been producing in his spot starts. I'd like to see him take away more starts/at bats from Melky. Plus, with his speed, maybe he can help generate a run or 2 without reliance on the long ball. Girardi needs to play the hot hand - or at least a lukewarm one, because they're just not cutting it at the plate right now.

Yankees Record: 38-31 (4-8 in their last 12)