WHY THIS YANKEE LOSS WAS A HEARTBREAKER

(Photo: NY Daily News)

The Yankees had the lead. While a lead against the Sox is never easy to keep, it is possible. After all, we did win 5-2 the night before and all we needed to do was hold them down. One problem, Phil Hughes isn't 18 game winner Phil Hughes...mistakes happen... or Ortiz happens, and the next thing you know, the Yankees lose this one 9-5. Heartbreaker? I'd say so.



I know, you've heard it from me before and your reaction is "Casey, you can't just put every pitcher in the pen!" You're right, but Phil Hughes is a pitcher that I believe should move there. I wrote about it in WHY THE PEN IS WHERE HUGHES BELONGS and I'm not alone Ladies and Gentlemen. This little ditty surfaced today by John Harper of the Daily News: Time to Phil up Yank pen.



Look, I don't dislike Hughes, in fact, I really like the kid, but we're sitting here September 1st and Lord knows time is running out with our scotch-taped rotation. Decisions need to be made and stuck to. Consistency and confidence are key and the Yankees rotation has none of that right now. Do you really think the Yankees can go all the way to another championship with the rotation we have?? Who are you kidding?

Hughes gave up a homer to David Ortiz in the fifth inning and after that, old man Jason Varitek, who can still hit, knocked double in the 6th. He also homered later. Then, with Boone Logan in, he let up that homer to Jacoby Ellsbury to put the game out of reach. You guys still think we're OK with just 1 lefty specialist in the pen? I've been bitching for weeks that giving Logan a night off for another lefty would be helpful. Guess what, last night proved my point.

Now, back to Ortiz for a moment. 2 nights ago we watched an over excited Francisco Cervelli fist pump after almost every strikeout and he clapped after he crossed home plate after hitting a home run. The next time up, Lackey plunked him and the implication was Cervelli was showboating. Michael Kay and Mike Lupica went on a rant yesterday about how horrible it was that Cervelli was "too excited." My take on this is simple. Cervelli never plays, and when he does, he likes being on the field. His fist pumping and clapping may not be the "Yankee way" as you put it, but it's not showboating. In fact, what is worse to me is watching David Ortiz stand and watch his ball launched into the bleachers from home plate for 5 minutes. That is showboating. Rethink this guys, you got it wrong and I'm disappointed you don't see it clearly.The Yankees offense was good last night. But clearly if the pitching is giving up runs, it's hard to come back. Derek Jeter had 2 hits and an RBI, and Eric Chavez and Robinson Cano had RBI doubles.



Final Score last night: Red Sox 9 - Yankees 5.



One more thing, Roger Rubin had a good piece about the Yankees Red Sox rivalry and the headline was just rich: Red Sox DH David Ortiz says rivalry with Yankees doesn't have to resort to bench-clearing brawls. Look, I'm not in the business of anyone getting hurt, but let's face facts Ortiz, you guys are overdue for a plunking. If a Yankee player came forward and said something like that, I'd have more respect for you, but you're team is responsible for the venom and I hope Burnett does the right thing tonight, popping you between the numbers. The timing is right, wouldn't you say? Anyway, nice piece by Rubin.



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