2 Out Of 3 Ain't Bad

I want sweep (I want sweep),
I need sweep (I need sweep).
But there ain't now way that A.J.'s gonna sweep you,
Now don't be sad 'cause,
'Cause 2 out of 3 ain't bad.
- Mitreloaf

What is about the combination of a New York Yankees uniform and Fenway Park that has turned A.J. Burnett from stud to dud? When Burnett was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays he dominated the Red Sox with ease, and that was a better Red Sox lineup.

But last year and so far this year, Burnett would settle for a quality start. (He came close on April 6, allowing three earned runs in five innings.)

Burnett had been red hot entering Sunday night's play - a 1.99 ERA. But after a promising start, Burnett began losing the strike zone. He wasn't just missing by inches either. And it doesn't matter if Francisco Cervelli, Jorge Posada, or Yogi Berra in his prime is behind the plate either.

To make matters worse, Marcus Thames did a great job of playing DH in left field. ESPN's John Miller kept talking about the how the wind was playing tricks on Thames, yet no other outfielder had such difficulties. As much as Joe Girardi would like to DH Posada, it does more damage to have Thames in left field or Randy Winn's bat in the lineup.

Jon Lester, a perennial April slow starter, pitched well again in May. He limited the Yankees to four hits over seven innings and has allowed just three earned runs in his last 27 2-3 innings.

But the Yankees still won their 9th series in 10 tries and have taken 4 of 6 from the Red Sox, all of which were in Fenway Park. 2 out of 3 is better than "ain't bad".