“We can’t make it a habit of falling behind and trying to score four or five runs off other team’s closers,” Jeter said. “But just because we lost doesn’t mean there was a letdown.”

…”This is the time we’re going to need to make a charge,” said Johnny Damon, who snapped an 0-for-15 slump with an infield single in the ninth. “Last night was huge for us. It just stinks right now. We know we’re going to play better in June.”
(Kepner, N.Y. Times)

So much for momentum. The Yankees were listless on Monday night in Chicago. Matt DeSalvo, who is not ready for prime time, didn’t make it out of the second inning–fielding mistakes by Alex Rodriguez, and especially, Josh Phelps–helped his early exist. Chicago’s Jon Garland was not sharp in the early innings but the Yankees didn’t do much about it. Garland settled down and his pitches got tougher as the game went on. Ron Villone gave up a two-run dinger to Jim Thome, and Chris Britton–who pitched well–served up a solo shot to Paul Konerko. By the time the Yankees staged a rally in the ninth inning, it was too late, and they lost, 6-4.

It was a game that had me grumbling to myself all evening. One step forward, one step back, that’s the way the Yankees roll this year. About the only good news came late, as the A’s beat the Red Sox in extra innings.

Hey, at least Tyler Clippard is on the hill tonight…more grumbling. Derek Jeter is banged-up and slumping a bit, Johnny Damon is 4-for-his-last-29, and Joe Torre would like to give Rodriguez a breather. Bobby Abreu, however, is starting to improve offensively and Robinson Cano is stinging the ball again.

Finally, on a sad note, ex-Yankee Clete Boyer died yesterday. Boyer was one of the great defensive third basemen of them all. He was overshadowed by Brooks Robinson, but for those who played with him, he was nothing short of great.