Patient Approaches Vanishes in Late Innings of Yanks Loss

Commentary:

A game that began with a 15 pitch at-bat to Derek Jeter, ended with a 3-2 Yankees loss due to some bad luck and lack of offensive patience after the 5th inning.  Jared Weaver had thrown 60+ pitches through 3 innings and had been staked to a 1 run lead due to Ivan Nova's wildness and timely hitting by the Angels in the bottom of the first.  The Yankees scored an early run on an RBI single by Martin who knocked in A-Rod. 

As the game progressed, the New York offense struggled but was able to score in the 4th on a ground rule double by Posada who desperately needed to show some type of offensive life.  The bad luck of a ground rule double prevented Swisher from scoring on the play which would have given the Yanks a 3-2 lead.  Instead, Nova gave up the go ahead run in the bottom of the inning which would prove decisive in the 3-2 Los Angeles victory.

In the 6th inning, the Yankees had worked Weaver's pitch count to 100+ pitches.  After a 4 pitch strike out of A-Rod to lead off the frame, Weaver got the next two batters (Cano and Martin) out with only 2 pitches.  The 6 pitch inning allowed Weaver to stay in the game and continue to shut down the Yankees.  When the game was over, New York had mustered just 3 hits and struck out 11 times although they were .333 (2-6) w/RISP.

On the bright side, Nova pitched better, and gutted his way into the seventh inning allowing 3 runs on 8 hits.  Robertson and Ayala did a good job in the 7th and 8th although Logan was brought on at one point in the 8th and promptly allowed a hit.  He continues to perform poorly.

Grades:

Offense:  C-  What began with a bit of production early, ended with a free-swinging and poor approach after the 5th inning.

Starting Pitching:  B-  Nova definitely allowed the Yanks a chance to win but giving up the go ahead run in the 4th after the Yanks had tied it in the top of the frame makes this score a B- rather than a B in addition to the 8 hits, 2 walks, and wild pitch.

Bullpen:  A-  Robertson and Ayala were solid as usual but Logan continues to be useless.  Anyone remember Pedro Feliciano was supposed to be the lefty specialist?

Weather:

As I posted last night at game time, the temperature was 65 at first pitch with partly cloudy skies.  I nailed the weather conditions but was 5 degrees too warm on the temperature.

Grade:  B+