I Should Feel Good

The Yanks just won a game in dramatic fashion, so why don't I feel any better about this team than I did last night?

Obviously, the optimist in me sees A-Rod breaking out of a slump, Nady continuing to be Mr. Clutch, and the Yanks snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. But the realist sees a team who just can't get the job done. Moose pitched his ass off without his best stuff. In fact, he had the worst stuff and command I've seen from him in months. He left the game with a three-run lead in the 8th. Despite the Yankee offense's continued struggles in clutch situations, they scratched across 6 runs. This was as close to a sure thing as you can find, and still, they managed to piss it away.

This time it was Marte to start the eighth, with Girardi planning to go to Mo in relief, I assume. Joe decided against Veras because Morneau and Kubel were due up 2nd and 3rd in the inning. Fine, I can't really argue with that. Can't argue with bringing Mo in either. You have to assume he'll find a way to get out of the inning without giving up three runs. It just didn't work out like that.

The player of the game isn't A-Rod. No chance. The guy who won this game for the Yanks, hands down, is Jose Veras. This game was a loss, plain and simple. Once the home team ties like that in the 8th, 90% of the time they win it, it's only a matter of time. Veras was dominant in his two innings of work and he gave the Yanks time to recover from the shock of Young's bomb. He saved the game, and for the night, the season.

By the way, Damon and Giambi, the two guys Girardi sat last night, combined to go 5/8 with 2 walks tonight. Good move Joey.

One final note. Bobby Meacham needs to be fired. If not for Nady's anti-Yankee gene, he costs them a run, and the game, by holding Bobby Abreu on a play when the right fielder threw the ball to second base.

Day game tomorrow, I'll be listening at work and live blogging in between meetings.

Player of The Game: Jose Veras
Team Record: 64-56
Damon: Nada