The Yankees dropped the final game of three to the Twins 8-2 in what can only be characterized as a poor effort all around. Javier Vazquez was terrible, allowing five runs in 5 2/3 innings. To their (slight) credit, the slumbering Yankee offense shrunk the gap to only two runs twice, but Home Run Javy promptly gave runs up both times. Things got so bad that I was forced to switch to the Met game during the Yankee game — I don’t even flip to the Mets during commercials.
Despite Javy’s poor showing, the difference was still only a semi-reasonable three runs prior to the bottom of the 7th. Of course, newly reacquired Chad Gaudin came on in relief and didn’t waste any time showing why the Yankees already cut him once this year as well as why he couldn’t even stick with the A’s, surrendering a three-run bomb that put the game completely out of reach.
The Yankees actually pounded out 10 hits, which makes scoring only two runs feel even more egregious. Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano had two hits apiece, with Cano’s knocks driving in both Yankee runs. There were also several balls hit on the screws but — as is often the case — right at fielders. The Yankees even put the lead runner on in four of the first six innings, but had the threat neutralized twice by a double play.
The goat of this game, non-Vazquez division, was Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod was awful, going 1-4 and looking lousy in doing so. I’m fine with someone having a tough night — this is baseball, after all — but Alex only saw 13 pitches over his four at-bats and took some horrendous-looking hacks, grounding out into a double play and weakly flying out twice before finally picking up a hit in the 8th. Over his last seven games, A-Rod is 6 for 27 with three walks and zero RBI. Additionally, I have absolutely no problem criticizing ‘Rod — if you’re a regular reader you know I’ve been a huge supporter of Alex’s since the day Brian Cashman traded for him and am sometimes almost embarrassed to admit that he’s my favorite Yankee, so don’t misinterpret this as WFAN-grade A-Rod bashing.
Ultimately, while Vazquez didn’t give the Yankees a chance to win it, the Yankees would’ve lost anyway even if Vazquez limited the damage to three runs. Quite simply, you are not going to win many baseball games if you can only plate two runs. Additionally, only six runs over three games, Yanks? Why is my beloved team doing everything it can to turn my worst nightmare into a reality?
Oh, and to add insult to injury, Jason Kubel — yes, he of the .299 wOBA entering this series — knocked in five of the Twins’ eight runs and hit two home runs. Kubel has now hit 60% of his home runs against the Yankees this season. Blech.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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One Response to Wanted: One Major League-caliber offense. Reward: The undying gratitude of Yankee fans the world over
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TIQ IQ
Javy seemed to be up in the zone for most of the early part of the game, but he was semi-gritty; he didn't have his best stuff, but he kept the Yankees close, but the 1st and 2nd innings just killed him.
as you said, Larry – they need to score runs. after the top of the 1st, I sighed, "here we go again."
i like Gaudin's stuff – too bad he stinks.
any word on Granderson's return? I'm hoping he's in the lineup tomorrow when I'm at the game.