Pen Not Mightier Than The Bat, Yanks Lose 7-6

Bullpen failures ruin Jeter's big night

It should have been a night where Derek Jeter could reflect on the 2000th hit of his career. Instead he'll remember how it was a costly loss to Kansas City in the AL divisional race. The Yankees overcame an early 3 run deficit and a two hour rain delay, but couldn't come all the way back from an Angel Berroa 3-run homer as they lost to the Royals. The Yankees rallied in the 9th, cutting a two run deficit to just one, before Jason Giambi grounded in to a game ending double play.

Mike Mussina gave the Yankees another effective start, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings of work. Mussina struggled early with his command and the Royals took advantage by scoring all three runs in the second inning. After a Reggie Sanders lead off home run, Mussina retired the next two hitters, but a single by Tony Graffanino and back-to-back walks to Berroa and Paul Bako loaded the bases. Shane Costa then singled through the right side to score a pair.

The Royals have blown most leads they have had this year, including a 6-0 margin Thursday afternoon to Detroit. Last night's game was no different. Jeter led off the fourth with a little dribbler out in front of the plate. Catcher Paul Bako had to hurry his throw and it sailed into the seats along the first base line. The official scoring was a hit and an error, prompting the fans to rise to their feet to celebrate Jeter's 2000th hit. Jeter waved his helmet to the crowd, which grew louder as the achievement was displayed on the centerfield scoreboard. Two batters later Alex Rodriguez got the Yankees on the board with an RBI single up the middle off of Royals starter Scott Elarton.

In the sixth the Yankees took their only lead of the night. Johnny Damon led off with one of his two hits and Jeter followed with a walk. Jason Giambi then drilled a double in the gap in right-center to drive in both base runners and put the tying run in scoring position. A-Rod came through again, singling through the left side. The ball skipped through left-fielder Emil Brown's legs to allowed A-Rod to gain second, but he was stranded there.

Joe Torre turned the game over to Scott Proctor to start the 7th and Proctor's recent streak of ineffectiveness continued. Graffanino led off with a single and was sacrificed to second. The light-hitting Bako followed with a single to center to tie up the game. Kyle Farnsworth (1-2) started the eighth and did worse than Proctor. With a man on and two out, he walked Graffanino and then served up a 3-run home run to Berroa. Berroa's 4th home run of the year gave the Royals a 7-4 lead.

The Yankees finally drove Elarton (1-5) from the game in the 8th after Giambi singled and A-Rod followed with a double. With one out, Bernie Williams grounded out to Grudzielanek at second to plate Giambi, but Melky Cabrera grounded out to end the inning.

A two hour rain delay ensued following the top of the 9th before pinch-hitter Terrence Long stepped in against reliever Joe Nelson. Long came through with a single to send the tying run to the plate. With one out, Jeter walked and Gary Sheffield lined a single just under the glove of center fielder Estaban German to score Long. Manager Buddy Bell sent for 6'10" left-hander Andrew Sisco to face Giambi and the reliever came through, inducing Giambi into a 4-6-3 double play for the first save of his career.