Game 104 - AJ is Absolute Joke in Pathetic Performance

The Yanks needed a solid performance today from AJ Burnett, who's been their best pitcher since his loss to Boston. The bullpen has been banged up lately and had to pitch 5 innings yesterday after Sergio Mitre's debacle. Instead, Absolute Joke Burnett got slapped around hard by the White Sox, giving up 7 runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings of work. He allowed 6 runs to score in the 2nd inning. He only walked 2 - unfortunately, it came with the bases loaded twice and to the same hitter, Jayson Nix en route to a 14-4 pasting. The same guy batting ninth in the White Sox lineup carrying a mighty .231 batting average. Pathetic.

The Yankee hitters weren't any better, as they continue game after game struggling with RISP. They went 2-13 today and are now 12 for their last 62 for a .194 average. Things were so bad, the Yanks loaded the bases in the 6th with none out and only scored one run. It came on a bloop to LF from newly acquired Yankee, Jerry Hairston. Jorge Posada fell for Carlos Quentin's fake catch and was forced out at 3B. He continues to be one of the worse base runners I've ever seen. Cody Ransom signed his own death warrant, going 0-4 with 3 Ks, leaving 5 men on base. Cody, we hardly knew ye. Good riddance.

After Burnett's early exit, the Yankees marched out a myriad of relievers. None were worse than Phil Coke, who wouldn't be outdone by Burnett's 6-run inning. Coke got shelled for a 6-spot of his own, and he only retired 1 batter. Lefty Coke promptly surrendered 3 hits to the first 3 lefty batters he faced. He also issued the Yanks 3rd bases loaded walk of the day to Scott Posednik, another lefty hitter who has no power whatsoever, not to mention, they were down by 6 runs already at that point.

Leave it to the Yankees to wake up the Chisox bats after they'd been dormant in their 2 previous series. There's about 4-5 guys in their lineup I've never heard of either. With the Bosox beating up on hapless Baltimore again, the Yanks 3.5 game lead has dwindled all the way back to a half game. CC Sabathia and the Yanks better wake up tomorrow. They'll be facing Mr. Perfect, Mark Buehrle, himself. I'm smelling sweep.

Yankees Record: 62-42