Different month, same results.

Ian Kennedy couldn't make it past the fifth, reliever Jonathan Albaladejo wasn't much better and the middle of the Tiger lineup combined to go 7 for 13 with five RBIs as Detroit doubled up the Yanks 8-4 on a rainy night in the Bronx.  The Bombers jumped out to an early lead for the second straight night, but allowed Nate Robertson to regain his bearings as he earned his first victory of the year.  The Yanks "battled back" from a one-run deficit in the fifth, but super-sub Ramon Santiago tripled in two runs in the sixth to extinguish all hope of a comeback.

The Good:

Bobby Abreu.  Bobby ripped a three-run laser in the bottom of the first to give the Yanks a quick 3-0 lead.  That would be the high point of the night.  Abreu added a base hit in the fifth, but he badly misplayed a ball in right field during a four-run Tiger third inning that resulted in the go-ahead run.  The Yanks may have the most uncoordinated corner outfielders in the league.  Abreu finished 2 for 4 with a walk, run scored and 3 ribbies.

The Bad:

Ian Kennedy.  It started well for the kid, but it all unraveled in the third inning.  Kennedy was on the verge of escaping with only one run allowed, but couldn't get that elusive final out.  Kennedy doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he seems to shy away from contact -- especially when hitters foul off pitches.  Maybe that mentality will change with seasoning, but right now it's painful to watch.  Anyway, a 3-1 Yankee lead quickly evaporated and became a 4-3 Tiger lead when all was said and done.  And once again, the bullpen was called upon too early.  Kennedy picked up a no-decision, but throwing 96 pitches in less than five innings isn't going to cut it.  Kennedy's totals: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 1 K.

Jonathan Albaladejo.  JA has been solid during his shuttle from Triple-A to the big club, but he was off on Thursday night.  The Yanks tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth and Albaladejo gave it all back in the top of the sixth.  Very disheartening.  Still, a 6-4 deficit isn't insurmountable (even with the Yankees National League lineup), but then Johnny gave up a two-run bomb to Miguel Cabrera in the seventh.  Game, set, match.  Albaladejo was tagged with his first loss in pinstripes with this: 1.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR.

The Ugly:

Worse than expected.  I'll admit it -- I rolled my eyes when Phil Hughes was placed on the disabled list with a strained oblique during Wednesday night's game.  Well, turns out it was a little more than just a strain.  An MRI and X-Ray taken Thursday revealed a stress fracture to his right side -- his rib.  The kid will be out until at least July.  Two schools of thought on this and it depends on what type of person you are.  The broken rib (even though when it occurred is a mystery) could explain why Hughes has pitched so poorly this season.  Then again, this is starting to become a trend for the 21-year-old.  Hughes pulled a hamstring last season and then turned his ankle during his rehab.  At least the injuries aren't shoulder or elbow related.  But no matter how you look at it, the Yanks are down a starter and the solution (so far) will be Darrell Rasner.  Rasner will make his first start of the year for the Yanks on Sunday against Seattle.  Let's see if he can seize the opportunity.

The Yankees welcome in the Seattle Mariners Friday night for a three-game set and the first game should be a good one.  Chien-Ming Wang (5-0, 3.23 ERA) will face off against Erik Bedard (2-0, 2.04 ERA).  Wang was masterful in his last start against the Cleveland Indians and is 6-0 in six career starts against the M's with a 2.51 ERA.  Bedard missed most of April with a hip injury, but came back last week and pitched 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball in a win against the Oakland A's.  Hideki Matsui is the only Yankee in the everyday lineup with good numbers against the hard-throwing lefty (5 for 16, .313).  The next highest average belongs to Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi (.231). 

And with all the negativity surrounding the Yanks, a bit of good news.  Bobby Murcer will be back calling the action for Friday's game. Murcer has missed time recovering from fatigue after a recent biopsy showed scar tissue and no signs of the brain cancer he battled at the end of 2006.

Welcome back, Bobby. Leave a comment

Also on the Network: √ Brandon Jennings Update [Stop Mike Lupica] √ Deja Vu It Is [Depressed Fan] √ Moose Calls It Quits...Or Does He? [Depressed Fan] √ Mussina Reportedly Calls it a Career [Green Pinstripes] √ You, Me and D. Lee [El Lefty Malo] √ General Stuff [C70 At The Bat] √ Catching up with the Pacers... [Arin It Out] √ Bulls, Bulls, Bulls [Tremendous Upside Potential]

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