Nationals Walk Off With Series 3-2

Zimmerman Blast Ruins Wang Effort

After Saturday's debacle and burning the bullpen on back-to-back days, the Yankees got exactly what they needed from Chien-Ming Wang yesterday. Joe Torre knew Wang needed to give him innings with a lack of fresh arms to bring in. Wang pitched beautifully until he hung his final pitch of the game to Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. The stand-out rookie drilled it over the left field fence with a man aboard to give the Nats a 3-2 come-from-behind-win. It capped off a madcap weekend in the Nation's capital that saw the Yankees drop back into second place. The Bombers have now dropped 7 of their last 10 games.

Nationals rookie left-hander Mike O'Connor matched Wang's effectiveness for most of the game. O'Connor had two ingredients the Yankees struggle with. A pitcher they've never faced before who's repertoire does not include hard stuff. Derek Jeter helped the Yankees finally touch O'Connor up in the 6th when he led off with a double and advance to third on a wild pitch. Jorge Posada's sacrifice fly brought Jeter in to tie the game at one apiece.

Meanwhile Wang was cruising along, allowing just 3 hits through the first 7 innings. He'd wind up with 17 ground ball outs on the day. The Yankees gave him the lead in the 8th when Melky Cabrera worked a lead off walk against reliever Gary Majewski and came around on Alex Rodriguez's double in the gap in left-center.

Wang started to tire in the 8th as his pitch count rose and the temperature remained scorchingly hot. He issued his first two walks of the day to Brendan Harris and Alfonso Soriano to set up a two on, two out situation for Jose Vidro. Vidro hit a gapper to left-center, but Cabrera made a fine running back-handed grab to preserve the lead. If only Mariano Rivera had been available to protect that lead in the 9th.

Notes

Kyle Farnsworth threw a bullpen session on Sunday and felt good afterwards. He hopes to be available for tonight's game with the Phillies.

Octavio Dotel is expected to be recalled within 10 days. The way the pen has been overworked, it may be sooner rather than later.

Shawn Chacon and Jaret Wright are going to be separated in the rotation due to their inability to pitch deep into games. Joe Torre feels this is the only way to rest up his beleagured pen.

Robinson Cano went 0-4 on Sunday, ending his 15 game hitting streak. Cano was 28-62 (.451) during the streak, raising his average from .293 to .332.

The Red Sox took 2 of 3 from the Atlanta Braves to move 1 game ahead of the Yankees. The Toronto Blue Jays got swept by the Florida Marlins and fell to 2 games back.