The Yanks lost 5-1 tonight, but there are more bad stuff brewing underneath that loss.
For one thing, the Yanks only got two hits tonight, both by Robbie Cano, one a HR (6) for their only run.
The lineup tonight was weak. Very weak. Kevin Youkilis was a late scratch due to a tight back. As a result, you had, against a lefty pitcher, a lineup of Gardner (a lefty hitter), Francisco (.091 after tonight), Cano (who, despite being a lefty, got both Yankees hits, one a HR), Wells, Cervelli (no offense to him, but he is NOT a #5 hitter), Boesch, a lefty, subbing for another lefty who is not hitting—Ichiro. Nunez, who isn’t hitting, Overbay a lefty in there only because Youk has a tight back, and Nix.
How do the Yanks miss Jeter? Nunez is now at .167. How do they miss Teix? Against lefty starters, Youk goes to first and Nix plays 3B. Nix is at .194. Replace Jeter and A-Rod with Nunez and Nix and so far, no good. Youk has been ok in replacing Teix. But tonight, no Youk. Overbay instead. Not only that, against a lefty pitcher, it’s Francisco instead of Hafner.
Add Francisco’s .091 and Nunez, .167, Nix .194 and if I were another team, I’d save up my lefties to face the Yankees.
I can only hope that Mustelier gets well soon, hits at AAA and takes Francisco’s place soon.
Not only that, they need the switch-hitting Teix back soon… and esp. vs. lefty pitching.
CC had nothing early on. His 1st inning went: K, HR, K, single, triple, HR, groundout. Down 4-0 after 1.
He did give up another HR later. 7 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 2 w, 8 K. But with the Yanks’ offense tonight, they were dead after CC gave up 4 in the 1st. He falls to 3-2, 3.34.
Adam Warren pitched a scoreless inning, getting some much-needed work.
Besides that problem with lefty starters, the Yanks could have another problem.
From ESPN:
The spokeswoman for Robinson Cano‘s foundation is listed as having been a client of the Biogenesis clinic last summer, although she denies having received anything from the clinic and says Cano “definitely never did.”
Major League Baseball, however, has possession of a Biogenesis client roster that lists the spokeswoman, Sonia Cruz, and is investigating whether Cano had any relationship to the clinic, sources familiar with MLB’s investigation told “Outside the Lines.”
Cano has denied knowing clinic founder Tony Bosch or having ever used performance-enhancing drugs. But as his best friend, Melky Cabrera, his mentor, Alex Rodriguez, and now his spokeswoman have all been connected to clinic documents, MLB wants to know whether any relationship between Cano and the clinic exists.
Of course, I hope Robbie is innocent. But you know what they say… where there is smoke, there is fire…