Pen Writes A Bad Ending

Today's game between the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays should have been about A.J. Burnett's return to the nickname the "Good A.J." as fans like to refer to him as. But instead the bullpen rained on Burnett's parade and the Blue Jays topped the Yankees 6-1 in extra innings.

Pitching coach Dave Eiland said he found a problem with Burnett's mechanics that was causing his front shoulder to fly open. But obviously there was reason to be skeptical after the horrendous month that Burnett endured in June.

This time out though Burnett left to a standing ovation after 6.2 innings with the Yankees clinging to 1-0 lead. It didn't last long.

In the 8th, the Jays rallied against Joba Chamberlain to tie the game on Aaron Hill's single. It was the third base runner allowed by Chamberlain in the inning. The right-hander with the plus fastball continues to get burned by his off-speed pitches. Something, in my opinion, he relies on much too much. It's one thing to throw a variety of pitches as a starter, but you don't need as large an array as a reliever.

The Yankees wasted numerous opportunities in the game, including a bases loaded no out situation in the 3rd inning. Blue Jays starter Brett Cecil struck out Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano, and got Jorge Posada to hit into an inning ending ground out.

Fans were hoping for the first walk off victory of the season, but the Yankees went down in order in the 9th and 10th innings. After Mariano Rivera and David Robertson each tossed a scoreless frame, Robertson got tagged in his first two inning appearance of the season.

The Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out and took the lead when Alex Gonzalez's line drive went beyone the reach of a leaping Alex Rodriguez. Chan Ho Park came on to strike out Jose Bautista, but walked Vernon Wells to put the Jays on top 3-1. Dewayne Wise, who entered the game as a pinch-runner in the 8th, then delivered the back breaker - a bases clearing triple for a 6-1 lead.

This outing once again proved what a horrible signing Chan Ho Park was. Brian Cashman has not learned not to give deals, be it long term or short term, to National Leaguer pitchers who have had one good year. Jaret Wright, Carl Pavano, Chan Ho Park. The list goes on.

Park's ERA is now 6.66, that in itself is in omen. I actually get angry every time he comes into the game. Park, Chamberlain, Robertson and most of the pen suffer from the same problem. Getting behind in the count. It happened to all three today and all three paid for it today.

The good news, of course, is that Burnett got a tremendous shot of confidence after allowing four hits and three walks, while striking out six. Hopefully he can now build off of today's performance.

Notes

Boone Logan was optioned to Scranton prior to the game to make room for Dustin Moseley. The former Angel pitcher had the option to opt out of his minor league deal. The Yankees wanted to see if he could do a better job as the long man at least until Sergio Mitre is back. With Chad Gaudin out of options, the Yankees decided to send Logan down despite how poorly Gaudin has been pitching.

The Yankees were hitless with runners in scoring position and had just five hits on the day.

photo courtesy of Lohud.com

Cisco Gets His Pie

Mystique and Aura..and Exuberance

Written for Baseball Digest Online

A certain blowhard pitcher can make fun of mystique and aura all he wants, but it looks like they those two have been joined this season by exuberance in the new Yankee Stadium. There was plenty on display tonight as the Yankees came up with their 14th walk off win of the season, 5-4 over the Toronto Blue Jays. The victory was also the Yankees' 34th come from behind triumph, the most since the 1932 Yankees.

Despite a solid outing from spot starter Chad Gaudin, the Yankees slept their way through seven innings of dull baseball and trailed 4-2 in the 8th. Phil Hughes started things out with a dynamite top of the inning and then the bats came to life. Alex Rodriguez dunked n a 1-out single off lefty Scott Downs and then it was time for Godzilla to destroy another city. Hideki Matsui entered the game with nearly half his 24 home runs coming against southpaws. Number 25 landed in the right field stands and tied the game at four apiece.

"Pie Anticipation" set in after Mariano Rivera tossed a scoreless 9th and Brett Gardner kept the momentum going with a lead off single against Jays' closer Jason Frasor in the home half of the inning. The speedster swiped his 22nd base in 27 attempts and moved to third on Derek Jeter's ground out up the middle. With no third catcher available due to Jorge Posada's suspension, Joe Girardi had no choice but to let Francisco Cervelli bat for himself. The "Cisco Kid" didn't let his manager down, singling through the left side for yet another last at-bat win for the Pinstripes.

Cervelli also showed the exuberance that has affected both the youngsters and the veterans. He joyously rounded first and headed towards right field in an attempt to out run his teammates/mob scene. But a smiling Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera caught him, setting up another raucous Bronx celebration that culminated when A.J. Burnett gave the rookie catcher his first taste of victory pie.

The Yankees were in the game because Gaudin, starting in place of Andy Pettitte, was solid through five plus innings. He allowed a solo home run by Jose Bautista, but got out of other jams with run producing ground outs. The Blue Jays tacked one on against Brian Bruney in the 7th, but mystique, aura, and exuberance were waiting in the wings.

Game Notes

Mariano Rivera won his 3rd game of the season and the 71st of his career.

The Yankees have Thursday off and will travel to the west coast for games at Seattle and LA (Ana).