Damn.

I gotta tell ya, I only watched half of this game.  I went out with a friend for a late lunch with the score tied at 1-1 in the sixth and planned on watching the remainder of the game when I got home.  I pressed record on my VCR (yes, they still exist and yes, I still have one), but I forgot that my place experienced a power surge a few days ago.  That messed up my VCR and when I pressed play all I saw was snow.  Dirty, black snow.  Damn you '80s technology!!  

So, I'm forced to piece this game together from scraps -- like an animal.  Roger Clemens pitched his heart out, but Angels starter John Lackey matched him pitch for pitch as the Yanks dropped a heartbreaker to the Angels, 2-1 in 13 innings.  The Yankees struck out 14 times in the game and committed 5 errors.

This roundup will be brief. 

The Good:

Roger Clemens.  The Rocket was great for the second straight start.  Clemens can't blow batters away like he used to, but he still knows how to pitch and get the most out of his stuff.  I hope Mike Mussina was taking notes.  Clemens really deserved a better fate.  Roger's no decision went like this:  8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

The Bad:

Miguel Cairo.  Cairo has been terrific in his spot-starting duties this season, but he committed 3 errors on Saturday, including 2 in the 13th that led to the Angels winning run.  He made a diving stab on a grounder in the final inning, but his throw to Luis Vizcaino was wide and Howie Kendrick scored on the play.  Actually, Cairo made a similar play in Friday night's game, but it didn't cost the Yanks the game.  Saturday afternoon was a different story.

Melky Cabrera.  Talk about a tough day.  Melky has been hot batting in the second spot in the order, but he suffered through one of his worst days as a pro on Saturday.  Cabrera went 1 for 6, but struck out 5 times.  I know you receive the Golden Sombrero with four strikeouts in a game, but I'm not sure what you get for doing it five times.  A dunce cap?  Whatever it is, I'm sure Melky doesn't want it.

The Ugly:

Losers at the break.  The loss on Saturday now ensures that the Yanks will finish the first half of 2007 with a losing record.  It's been a tumultuous season so far for the Yanks and their fans.  I'm sure the theme in the papers and on talk radio will center on whether the Yanks should be buyers or sellers in the second half.  One thing is for sure -- it will be an uphill battle for the Yanks to get into the playoffs this year.

The rubber game and the final game before the All-Star Break will pit Chien-Ming Wang against Ervin Santana.  Santana has a horrid 7.45 ERA on the road this year and is 5-9 with a 5.35 ERA overall for 2007.  Wang will be shooting for win number 9 on the season.

For me, the first half of the season can't end soon enough.