It was over before it started. Ichiro singled to begin the game last night and Chone Figgins followed with a walk before Russell Branyon hit a long three-run homer, putting the Yankees in a hole that they would not climb out of against the dominant Felix Hernandez who tossed another gem at ’em in the Bronx. Actually, dominant might be overstating things, the man only threw eight shut-out innings this time, and didn’t have the nerve or reserve to finish them out. By that time, the game was in hand, however, as the Mariners skipped to a 6-0 win.
The bad news is that Alex Rodriguez had to come out of the game after just one at-bat. He hasn’t been placed on the DL but is back to being day-to-day.
Good news from out-of-town helped ease any hard feelings Yankee fans might have. The Red Sox were pounded at Fenway to the tune of 16-2, and the A’s staged a late-inning comeback to beat the Rays, 5-4. Yanks are still in first, ahead of the Rays by a game and in front of the Sox by six. And although Jason Vargas, today’s pitcher for the Mariners, has been outstanding this year, the Yankees can at least take stock in the fact that he’s not a King.
Meanwhile, let's hope A-Rod's calf wasn't made any worse by that 1 AB last night ... sigh.
1) yeah, especially if it means a trip to the DL, which now would be retrocatcive to last night rather than when he last played. You know, the old Sheffield DL Shuffle.
Lyle Overbay had 47 RBI heading into last night's game. Now he has 54. What a bloodbath that was.
One o'clock game today, remember.
Kind of pitiful, isn't it, when the World Champion/Best Team in Baseball has a metaphysically zero chance of winning a baseball game after only 3 batters?
3) ah, thanks for the reminder!