Watching last night's game live at Yankee Stadium, I really felt bad for Javier Vazquez, who was pitching a fantastic baseball game. But for the second straight day, the offense of the New York Yankees abandoned their starter, saddling them with undeserved losses.
First it was Andy Pettitte suffering only his second loss of the season after giving up two earned runs in seven innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. In giving up only one run to the cross-town rival Mets, Javier Vazquez pitched seven innings for the fourth consecutive start, but was tagged with the loss when his offense disappeared, baffled by Hisanori Takahashi.
The normally clutch Derek Jeter was the main culprit last night, twice coming to the plate with a runner in scoring position and failing to drive him in. Jeter's slump has reached epic proportions, with his batting average dropping 20 points in just 10 days. Brett Gardner had a feisty, spectacular at-bat against Francisco “KRod” Rodriguez to set up the bases loaded in the ninth, but Jeter struck out and Nick Swisher popped up.
The Yankees lineup did a little better today scoring five runs and answering back every time the Mets took the lead, with home runs from Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson. Phil Hughes struggled in the early innings, giving up a pair of home runs to Jose Reyes. But the young righty had an impressive recovery and finished up strong, throwing only eight to 10 pitches in the latter innings to quickly dispatch the Metsies. Joba Chamberlain had a nice bounce-back performance and Mariano Rivera was his typical, dominant self in finishing off the Mets.
Today was a good day all around for the Yanks, ending a three-day skid. But let’s see if the offense has really shaken its collective slump. Tomorrow the two aces take the mound, but in light of recent history, I wouldn’t expect a pitchers’ duel.
First it was Andy Pettitte suffering only his second loss of the season after giving up two earned runs in seven innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. In giving up only one run to the cross-town rival Mets, Javier Vazquez pitched seven innings for the fourth consecutive start, but was tagged with the loss when his offense disappeared, baffled by Hisanori Takahashi.
The normally clutch Derek Jeter was the main culprit last night, twice coming to the plate with a runner in scoring position and failing to drive him in. Jeter's slump has reached epic proportions, with his batting average dropping 20 points in just 10 days. Brett Gardner had a feisty, spectacular at-bat against Francisco “KRod” Rodriguez to set up the bases loaded in the ninth, but Jeter struck out and Nick Swisher popped up.
The Yankees lineup did a little better today scoring five runs and answering back every time the Mets took the lead, with home runs from Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson. Phil Hughes struggled in the early innings, giving up a pair of home runs to Jose Reyes. But the young righty had an impressive recovery and finished up strong, throwing only eight to 10 pitches in the latter innings to quickly dispatch the Metsies. Joba Chamberlain had a nice bounce-back performance and Mariano Rivera was his typical, dominant self in finishing off the Mets.
Today was a good day all around for the Yanks, ending a three-day skid. But let’s see if the offense has really shaken its collective slump. Tomorrow the two aces take the mound, but in light of recent history, I wouldn’t expect a pitchers’ duel.
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