You know what other run is over? The Yankees' push for the postseason. Now, I'm not one of those types who goes on a "We're dooooomed!" rampage after every loss, but look at the situation. We are 7 games back in the beginning of August. The starting rotating is mangled. The offense is streaky. And when a spot starter does come in a throw a gem (e.g. Dan Giese today outdueling John Lackey), the bullpen collapses and first gives up two home runs to tie the game (Jose Veras), followed by SEVEN RUNS without recording an out in the 8th (Edwar Ramirez and Dave Robertson). Today's game, folks, was a swift kick in the groin. And it suddenly made the hunt for October feel like a pipe dream.
It's so frustrating. Even after what happened in 2004, I wore my hat proudly in order to show the world that I supported my team no matter what. But this...this is different. This is downright embarrassing. A team as talented as the New York Yankees has no business playing as poorly as they are right now. As a fan it's simply maddening, and I can't wait until an offseason shakeup.
Of course, today's debacle occurred after Ian Kennedy's return to the majors last night. Although he was challenging batters as opposed to nibbling, all of his pitches ended up in the exact same spot on the plane in front of the strike zone. As such, he got roughed up pretty miserably, ending in getting blooped out of the game. Geez. Then poor IPK made no friends as he smiled during the postgame and said:
"I'm just not real upset about it. I'm just going to move on. I've already done that."Right attitude. Poor words. Because now everyone thinks he's just a joker who doesn't understand the scope of the situation here. God dammit, Ian! What happened to the confident September call-up who started three games, threw 19 innings, gave up only 4 ERs, and had an overall ERA of 1.89? I want that guy back!
There's no question that the Hughes/Kennedy experiment failed, and Cashman just cannot risk that gamble again. As such, expect the Yankees to give C.C. Sabathia whatever he wants in order to bring a legit ace to the Bronx. Ignore the repercussions of signing a guy to a 5+ year contract for now and just consider the following:
- Sabathia
- Wang
- Chamberlain
- Mussina
- Hughes/Kennedy/whoever proves himself in ST
Well, at least Liriano and the Twins wished me a happy birthday by taking their second in a row from the Royals. Francisco's pitch count was high again (100 through 5.2), but he only gave up 3 ERs. Not excellent, but not shabby either. That is, especially when your offense can score 7 to back you. The Chisox simultaneously fell to the Red Sox (is that good or bad?), so Minnesota has vaulted into first place yet again. But can they hold it this time?
Speaking of Chicago, yikes:
Reliever D.J. Carrasco came through for the White Sox when Jose Contreras departed in the second with a ruptured left Achilles' tendon [...].That sounds really awful, but as long as it hurts the Southsiders... :)
And to wrap this post up, the following headline has too many puns:
Big Papi rockin' Para-Dice city
Shame on that writer.
