These aren't good times, people.
Sidney Ponson did all he could, but he gave up a two-run shot to light-hitting Adam Everett and Glen Perkins pitched eight shutout innings as the
Twins blanked the Yanks 4-0 at the Metrodome. The loss dropped the Bombers to 2-6 on this current road trip, 9 games behind the Rays in the AL East and 5 games back of the Red Sox for the wild card.
The tone was set early on in this one. The Yanks couldn't come through with runners on first and third and two outs in the first, but their offensive impotence in the second inning was the killer. Robinson Cano led off the second with a base hit to center and later advanced to third on a throwing error by Perkins. Richie Sexon followed with a walk. The Bombers were set up: runners on first and third with nobody out in a scoreless game. But Ivan Rodriguez popped out to shallow center and Melky Cabrera grounded into a double play to end the threat. There was still a lot of baseball left, but the mood of the game had changed -- and not for the better.
A lot may be made of Joe Girardi's decision to sit Johnny Damon and pencil Justin Christian as the leadoff hitter Monday night. I'll admit I was a bit surprised at the move, but it's not the reason they lost. The guys out there just aren't getting the job done and the Yanks aren't going to win games consistently unless the Derek Jeter's, Alex Rodriguez's and Robinson Cano's start coming through in key situations.
My brother and I were watching the game at my cousin's house tonight and it's now late and I'm tired. Sick and tired. Therefore, no roundup. Frankly, there isn't a whole lot to write about.
The Yanks are desperate for a win and will send Mike Mussina (15-7, 3.27 ERA) to the hill Tuesday night. Nick Blackburn (9-6, 3.60 ERA) will go for Minnesota. Blackburn is having a great August so far (2-0, 2.77 ERA in two starts), but the Yanks tagged him with a 12-4 loss at The Stadium on July 21. The Bombers banged out six runs (three earned) on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. Blackburn pitched well in his first start this season against the Yanks, but was knocked out by Bobby Abreu's comebacker in the fifth inning during the Twins 5-1 victory June 1. Mussina has been lights out in August (2-0, 0.64 ERA in two starts) and will be making his third start against Minnesota this season. The Moose is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA against the Twinkies this year.
Let's see if Mussina can give Yankee fans a reason to hope.
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I agree. Damon isn't the be all end all of the lineup. The Yankees got shut out. Damon wasn't going to hit five homers.