Yankees Stink

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Yankees Stink!!!!!!

We were really expecting John Sterling to belt that out at the conclusion of today's game. The Minnesota Twins, the team that actually showed up and were awake this afternoon, won it 4-2 behind a dominant performance from Kevin Slowey. Darrell Rasner pitched decently, but fell victim to Robinson "I have my head up my ass" Cano, who has been mentally missing for the past few weeks (Where is Larry Bowa when you need him?).

The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the first when A-Rod doubled and scored on a single off the baggy, which Sterling was going into his home run call for, by Jason Giambi. Things unraveled in the fourth though after Rasner walked lead off man Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau hit a potential double play ball to A-Rod. Cano came across the bag to turn two, the only problem was A-Rod's throw hadn't arrived yet and everyone was safe. One batter later Delmon Young made the Yankees pay with a 3-run home run. His second in as many games.

The Yankees did nothing against Slowey after the first inning until Wilson Betemit, filling in for Derek Jeter, singled with two outs in the fifth. The Twins added an insurance run in the sixth as another Yankee fell victim to an injury. Dan Giese threw 83 pitches on Saturday and was coming back from that on three days rest. Apparently it wasn't enough. After giving up a lead off single to Mauer, he walked Morneau and Jason Kubel, before leaving with pain in his right shoulder. Brian Buscher's sac fly off of Dave Robertson brought home Mauer with the Twins' fourth run.

The Yankees finally mounted a minor rally in the eighth inning. Ivan Rodriguez and Betemit lead off the inning with back to back singles. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire came out and signaled for lefty Dennis Reyes to face Melky Cabrera, but Richie Sexson was already announced into the game. Gardenhire quickly tried to call for a right-hander instead, but was forced to stick with his original move. It turned out to be a fortunate error as Reyes struck Sexson out swinging.

Johnny Damon hit a come backer for the second out of the inning, with the runners each moving up a base. Bobby Abreu struck out, but it also resulted in a wild pitch as the ball got past Mauer, allowing Pudge to score from third and Abreu to reach first base safely. With the tying runs on base, Gardenhire sent for right-hander Jesse Crain, who retired A-Rod on an easy fly out to center field.

The Yankees final chance came in the ninth when Cano drew a two out walk from Joe Nathan, but I-Rod K'ed to end the game and the rotten road trip.

News and Notes

The Yankees have the day off on Thursday before returning home for a three game series with the Royals before hitting the road again.

With Giese injured, the Yankees will need yet another starter for his turn, which means Phil Hughes' next start could come at the major league rather than minor league level. More likely the Yankees will go with someone else for one start.

In addition to Giese, home plate ump Mike Winters had to leave the game after he took a foul ball off his mask.