Rockets and Duds

While Roger Clemens was donning a Scranton Yankees uniform and dominating the Triple-A competition, the Yankees were pulling another no-show in Toronto. Joe Torre held a 1 hour meeting prior to the game to try to infuse some life into his listless team. They responded by getting 5 hits off a guy (Dustin McGown) with a 7+ ERA and the Jay's bullpen.

Matt DeSalvo made what will probably be his last start in pinstripes this season, maybe ever, after another poor performance. Whatever caused his control problems last season, seems to have returned with a vengance.

Of course no game would be complete without the bullpen putting the game out of reach. This time it was Ron Villone's turn, with a little help from Mike Myers.

The Yankees offense consisted of a Hideki Matsui 2-run HR in the 8th. The loss moved the Yankees into the basement alongside the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Pathetic.

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Clemens meantime was having a much better time than he did at Trenton last week. He threw 89 pitches, 57 for strikes in 6 dominant innings against the Toledo Mud Hens. The only real question remaining is whether Clemens makes his 1st Yankees start against the Red Sox or White Sox.

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The Yankees may not be hitting, but prospect Mitch Hilligoss is continuing to streak his way through the South Atlantic League. With a 3-6 performance in Charleston's game on Memorial Day, Hilligoss extended his hitting streak to 34 games.