The Sommer Frieze

Well, the LVYFC (Lehigh Valley Yankee Fan Club) was disappointed tonight, as was reader Mike F. who was at the game.

Wang wasn’t bad. I’d take this from him anytime. He had one bad inning where he gave up 3 runs, but went 5, gave up 3 r but took the loss to drop to 0-6. In the one bad inning, he was not helped defensively. A single got by A-Rod. Maybe if A-Rod’s hip was sound (not making excuses here, but just seeing reality) he would have gotten the ball. There is no question that since the hip surgery that he has lost a step or two. When does that return? Jorge Posada made an absolutely terrible error, throwing a “rainbow” (as described by Pete Abraham) into CF. Looking at the double that McCann (an all-star) hit off of Wang, I didn’t find it a bad pitch at all. It was down, McCann just went down and got it. This was not (and I contradict Pete Abe here) that bad a performance by Wang. 3 R in 5 IP isn’t good, but it was one bad inning. … and when are we going to admit that A-Rod has lost a step or two because of the surgery that has hurt the Yankee defense?

In three consecutive innings, the Yanks left 8 men on base. Innings 2-4. Twice in that period, the pitcher’s spot came up in the lineup. In the second, bases loaded and two out, who comes up but 0 for 11 in his career Wang. He bounced back to the pitcher. Before the AB, cameras caught Girardi talking to Wang, probably telling him not to bust it on the basepaths.

Wang laid down a sac later, but with runners on 1st and 3rd, the runner at 3rd didn’t come home.

Jeter hit into a double play in one inning. Three consecutive IP, 8 men LOB. The Yanks only managed 4 hits all night, and squandered all opportunities.

They better start winning soon. Boston was beating up on the (G)nats. 5 out. The Phils did beat tampa, but Toronto won. Tied with the Jays, 2 up on Tampa. 5 back of Boston. Not much breathing room.

Phil Hughes was great in relief again. You wonder what happens next. Does Wang (3 R in 5 IP tonight, 0-6, ERA  11.20) pitch again, or does Hughes (4.57 ERA, great since going to the bullpen) go back into the rotation?  The Yanks are stuck between a rock and a hard place with Wang. Dave Robertson gave up a HR to McCann which made the final 4-0.

11 men lob.

A-Rod is now at .207. Girardi…… if you EVER read this blog, answer me this. When, on when, do you drop him from the 4 slot until he gets going?

Posada was pathetic tonight. The golden sombrero. It seemed like any curve or slider under his hands, he could not touch.

Ransom up tomorrow. If he is up for Pena and not Berroa, I’ll be pissed. Do the right thing, Yanks, Ransom for Berroa…. not Pena.