So much for that pitcher's duel.
Chien-Ming Wang was shelled, Roy Halladay was overpowering at times and the Blue Jays banged out nine doubles as they
whipped the Yanks 15-4 in Toronto. The Jays avoided the broom as the Yanks five-game winning streak came to a screeching halt.
The Good:
Robinson Cano. Cano accounted for 3/4 of the Yankee offense on Wednesday night. His two-run bomb in the second cut the Blue Jay lead to 3-2. That was the good news. The bad news? His solo blast in the seventh wasn't as helpful -- it sliced the Jay lead to 14-4. Still, it was another great game for Canu. Robbie finished 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 3 runs batted in.
Hideki Matsui. Godzilla continued his home run rampage. His jolt in the seventh was his 23rd of the season and his 15th since July 4. Matsui also picked up RBI number 80 on the season. He finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and the ribbie.
The Bad:
Chien-Ming Wang. Wang was off on Wednesday night. Hey, it happens -- even to your ace. How bad was it? I popped into my car after work in the third inning and Wang's night was already over. I didn't even hear or see him pitch. Therefore, I can't go into great detail about what wasn't working, but I'm going to assume that his sinker wasn't sinking. Yep, I'm a borderline genius when it comes to baseball. Wang's last two losses have both come against the Blue Jays. Strange. The Wanger dropped to 13-6 with this effort: 2.2 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 2 BB, 3 K.
Jeff Karstens/Ron Villone. The only bright spot was that both guys gave the Yanks innings and saved the bullpen. However, both guys pitched like garbage. The Yanks weren't coming back in this game and both relievers made sure of it. The terrible tale of the tape; Karstens: 3 IP, 3 H, 5 R (2 earned), 3 BB, 2 K, 1 WP. Villone: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K.
The Ugly:
The Mush Factor. Jason Giambi started his first game since May 30 and the result was a lopsided loss to the Blue Jays. Coincidence? I think not! Well, maybe that's a bit harsh. Oh sure, Giambi is
saying the right things in regards to his playing time and role with the team, but I'm still worried. I know every Yankee fan remembers the way things turned sour once Matsui and Sheffield came back last year. Still, last season's return of the two Yankee outfielders had a damned if you do and damned if you don't factor. The Yanks lost to the Tigers and everyone complained that the chemistry and the lineup was disturbed. Maybe they were right. But, if the Yanks didn't play those two guys and still lost the series, fans would be have complained that they wasted two big, veteran bats on the bench. I'm probably getting worked up for nothing. Giambi's return is a bit different and probably won't have the same effect as last season's short playoff series. Right?
Thursday is an off day as the Yanks fly to Cleveland to take on the Indians in a big three-game weekend set. Phil Hughes will make his second start since his stint on the DL and will go against the surprising Fausto Carmona. Carmona is 13-6 with a 3.17 ERA and pitched against the Yanks way back in April. He pitched well, but came away with a no decision. You remember that game. Yes, you do. A-Rod's bomb in the bottom of the ninth capped a six run inning and gave the
Yanks an 8-6 win.
The Yankees "easy" schedule is now over. The Bombers have gone 20-8 since the break and have catapulted themselves back in the playoff race. Now, they will begin a stretch against the tougher teams in the AL, starting on Friday in Cleveland.
Time to separate the men from the boys.
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