Slip Sliding Away
For the second game in a row, the Yankees lost to the White Sox.
For the second game in a row, the Yankees played sloppy defense and left runners on base.
For the second game in a row, the Yankees’ starting pitcher slipped on the grass and made a throwing error.
Otherwise, it was a really great game!
Seriously, what can I say about tonight’s 10-5 debacle? It was putrid. My neighbors could smell the stench coming off my TV all the way out here in California.
I’m sure Sergio Mitre is a very nice guy, but he’s not ready to be the Yankees #5 starter. He’s not ready to be their #6 or #7 starter either. He needs to just go away.
At first, I thought the offense would pick him up and score enough runs against the White Sox’s substitute starter, Carrasco, to make a good contest of it. And why not? Babe Ruth Hinske hit yet another homer in the fourth to tie the score at 5-5.
But that was it. From there, the dreadful pitchers handed out runs like they were giving out pies at a bake sale. Dave Robertson, who has the posture of an oak tree, was responsible for one. And Alfredo Aceves, who claims his shoulder is just fine, was charged with four – and it could have been more if Damon hadn’t thrown his body against the wall and made a tremendous catch. He should wear protective gear out there.
It looked like the Yanks might rally in the ninth after Damon singled. But A-Rod lined one to right and was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Not a good move at all.
Cashman decided not to make any deals at the trade deadline. Oh, wait. He did get Jerry Hairston, Jr. from the Reds. Earth shattering.
While I’m looking forward to whatever contribution Hairston can make, I still want a starting pitcher for that #5 spot. And since Cashman seems unwilling to go out and get somebody, I suppose I’ll have to do it myself. My film group has a screening tomorrow morning, and I plan to scour the theater for anyone who looks even remotely like a pitcher. If I come up with anybody, I’ll post his picture.
In the meantime, here’s another ballplayer/celebrity look-alike, this one courtesy of Newsday.
Jose Molina…
…and Greg Gumbel? A little bit?
The Yankees will win Saturday’s game against the White Sox, I just know it. AJ will quell any further disturbances and order will be restored.
Confessions of a She-Fan 
“Putrid” is definitely a good choice of vocab. Thankfully I was kind of distracted from the game doing other things, otherwise I more than likely would have gone to Chicago myself and slapped everyone in the face. (Front hand AND back hand, of course) I was shaking my head so much I thought it would fall off my neck… Here I thought Mitre would do at least minimally better than last time – man was I wrong. Ugh. I really hope AJ keeps his stuff up tomorrow. I don’t know what I might do if we lose a 3rd in a row. That’s not the team I’ve seen since the All-Star Break. They better get with the program or else I might offer myself up as a 5th starter!!!
– Lisa
http://perennialpinstriper.mlblogs.com/
I was doing some mental slapping myself, Lisa. Oh, this game was frustrating! I bet Cashman is slapping himself for giving Mitre a shot in the rotation. Who’s next? Kei Igawa? I think he’s the only one left down in Scranton. Let’s just pray that AJ can get it done tomorrow and we’re back on a winning track.
I hope this comment doesn’t come off as being angry but here goes. What the hell is the matter with Cashman! How can he not trade for any pitching help at all. They need help in the bullpen and the rotation. I understand the concept of holding on to prospects but there are times you have to make a move. They didn’t have to pick up a Halladay or a Lee but an effective 4 or 5 starter would have done the trick. What are they going to do when Joba reaches his limit? They need to transition Hughes into being a starter now. As far as the bullpen is concerned maybe Melancon needs to go through a trial-by-fire type of situation. I’m just afraid that this overall lack of pitching depth could be their achilles heel this year. Sergio is making me rethink my position on Arroyo! This series is starting to remind of the Angels and Red Sox series. Also, the Yanks are now 0-10 against Sox teams this year! Wow, this comment wound up much longer than I planned. Thanks for allowing me to vent!
It was the night of great catches by Red Sox and former Red Sox players! I think Jacoby Ellsbury might have to borrow Damon’s suit! And interesting stat by lenn23 – 0-10 against Sox teams. Interesting.
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Jane,
You guys had another soggy night in Chi-town too right?
Guess the way to beat the White Sox is to play on solid dry ground.
And the Jose Molina/Bryant Gumbel look-alikes are uncanny. If Jose could speak English like him he would be a star in Puerto Rico, maybe even a soap opera legend after his baseball career.
Hopefully you will get some dry ground the next two days and get some good action off John Danks.
I bet Ozzie is out there with a hose at 10 am watering the basepaths and outfield disguised as a groundskeeper……lol
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
It’s Soxphobia, Julia. Soxphobia is what it is.
Jane, sometimes it gets so frustrating when you know your players can do better!
Somehow even when your Yankees lose, you can still laugh about it. And we laugh too.
http://catlovesthedodgers.mlblogs.com
I hate to be dramatic, but I believe that was the worst outing of the 2009 season for the Bombers. Offense, defense, pitching, catching. Obviously as a long-time fan Jorge is one of my favorites, but I just don’t think he’s getting the job done. Not that he’s the only one, given the results last night, and I don’t know what we’d do with him, since we obviously want him to retire a Yankee.
I hope you are right, Jane, and that A.J. finds a way to head us back in a positive direction. I can’t remember the last time we lost two in a row – not to mention three. Today’s our daughter’s 18th birthday – The Yankees owe one of their biggest fans a BIG present.
it’s tough when it seems like another team has your number, no matter what you do or how different you play, it just cant be overcome. A new month maybe that’ll do it…
Outside the Phillies Looking In
http://devilabrit.mlblogs.com
Hey, I just got back from camp and I didn’t realize the Yanks were having some troubles with the White Sox. Hope we can get out of this small slump.
-Dillon
http://dillonm.mlblogs.com
Jane: That laughing lady scares me. Last night was utterly dreadful. The Yankees better pick things up before they are looking up at the AL East trying to catch up. This division is too good to be stinky in, even for just a few games. But maybe they can pick things up today. A.J. is a beast and I have a feeling he will be good. I just hope the offense will be. Speaking of look alikes, doesn’t A.J. Burnett look like Jed Clampett from the Beverly Hillbillies? Let me know if you agree. -Virginia
http://southernbelle.mlblogs.com
Len, feel free to get an angry as you want. That’s what blogs are for! So vent your heart out. I’m sure Cashman will claim a pitcher off waivers. I just hope it’s somebody better than Sidney Ponson. (Please, God.) Yes, the Yanks are looking like bumblers against the White Sox right now, but we’ve handled them in the past so it’s no phobia. They need to tighten up their pitching and defense, pure and simple.
Quirky stat, I’d call it, Julia. The Yanks haven’t had a problem with either Sox team until this year.
I was thinking the same thing about the groundskeepers in Chicago, Renegade. LOL! I bet Ozzie goes out there when nobody’s looking and, just before the Sox come up to bat, he sprays some mysterious chemical on the grass to make it nice and slippery.
Frustrating is right, Cat. Makes me want to go out onto the field and yell at them.
It was a bad, bad game for Posada, Diane. He came up with men on base and did nothing. And his defense wasn’t any better. Maybe Joe should use Molina more than once a week to give him a rest. As for AJ, he seems to be the ace of the staff right now, so he needs to do what aces are supposed to do: be the stopper of a losing streak! Happy birthday to your daughter and may she get a beautiful present: a Yankees victory.
I wouldn’t say the White Sox have the Yankees’ number after two games, devilabrit. The Red Sox with eight games? Different story.
Welcome back, Dillon.
AJ and Jed Clampett, Virginia? I’ll have to “investigate.” LOL. Yes, last night was dreadful all around. And you’re so right: the AL East is too tough to let down even for a few games, although it’s a given that every team will go through rough patches before it’s all over. Winning a WS is all about being hot at the right time and being consistent. The Yanks had a great July. Let’s hope August gets off to a similarly great start.
Jane: I hope August is a good month for the Yanks. I hope they win on my birthday this year. (Aug. 16th.) It seems like they never do. Oh well. The more important thing is to win series and put pressure on the Red Sox to do the same. I wish we could’ve gotten a pitcher. With Mitre pitching “putridly” and Joba with his new innings limit, the Yanks could really use another starter. Oh well. -Virginia
http://southernbelle.mlblogs.com
The Yankees never win on my birthday either, Virginia! At least not that I remember. But maybe this August 16th will be a great day. In the meantime, let’s get a win TODAY.
The Yankees don’t win on my birthday, either. Then again, they never lose either. My b’day is in December. Lol! Anyway, I’m going to go out of character right now and say something I never say about a player (at least publicly): Sergio Mitre pitches pretty badly, but he’s still a nice piece of eye candy.
http://thisfanslife.mlblogs.com
Good luck. I’m sure the Yankees will win soon. It’s only natural for them to be a winning team. http://tribechick.mlblogs.com/
-TC
Different strokes, Bern. Mitre doesn’t do anything for me.
Thanks, tribechick, but we’re losing again to the White Sox at the moment. Grrrr.
Wow, we got a 1 1/2 game pick up on you guys in the last two days. Hope restored! Ahhhhhh! I cannot imagine what would happen if the Yanks lost 3 of 4 to the Sox and the Rays won 3 of 4 against the Royals, but I would sure like to find out. I’m starting to get that excited feeling again…
http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com/
Baseball is such a funny game, raysfanboy. Things can change so fast. See how much better you feel today (and me the opposite)?
Aye aye aye it’s about to be three straight. Btw I know it took a long time but I’m back around the MLBlogosphere. Yay.
http://newmexicanyanksfan.mlblogs.com
And it IS three straight, neal. Horrendous game – the worst so far. Should be fun to think up an entertaining recap for this one. UGH. Welcome back.
– Ahh, the familiar faces. First Pettitte and friends, now Molina lol. I’m gunna have to say that Molina looks like a fat Mario Lopez. What do you think?
– As for the loss… *Shakes head in disgust.* We need to get it together before we slide back into second. The Red Sox leave us zero room to slip up – and that’s exactly what we’re doing. One game left in this series – let’s get ’em!
http://jquist.mlblogs.com/
Molina = Lopez? Not bad, JQuist. I’ll try it out. Meanwhile, I’m shaking my head in disgust too after this loss and yesterday’s (and the one the day before). We need to salvage this finale today!