While winning streaks are undoubtedly fun to have, they do come with a negative.
That is, enduring the eventual loss.
That depressing defeat came early in tonight's game, as Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda surrendered a pair of second inning runs in a 5-1 A's victory, snapping the Yanks four-game run.
In that frame, Kuroda actually retired two of the first three men he faced, before suddenly losing control.
With a runner on first and two outs, the veteran right-hander allowed the next two hitters to reach, setting up a big, two-RBI single from Eric Sogard.
That clutch knock unknowingly ended the game for the Bombers, who managed just one unearned run in six innings against Oakland's Scott Kazmir.
That trip around the bases came in the Yanks' half of the third, when Derek Jeter reached on a throwing error with men on the corners.
At that point, the Pinstripes were technically still in it, down just 2-1, but after a 38-minute power outage in the middle of the fourth and another pair of A's runs in the fifth it was clear it wasn't their night.
Overall, Kuroda (4-5) wasn't terrible in the outing, recording two 1-2-3 innings, but since he did surrender 4 earned runs in just 4.2 frames he was handed the loss, his second consecutive.
On the bright side of things, the bullpen was okay after #18 left, as Shawn Kelley struck out the only hitter he faced to end the fifth and David Huff tossed three innings of one-run ball in his team debut.
Unfortunately, the cons still outweighed the pros for the Bombers this evening, with the ending of Jacoby Ellsbury's 17-game hitting streak and a botched scoring opportunity in the fifth being the most notable.
That failure to hit with RISP, something that's been happening a lot lately, came with a man on third and one out, when Jeter (0-for-4) hit into fielder's choice and Ellsbury (0-for-3, Walk) fouled out to third.
Basically, the same problems that we saw last week came back to haunt the Pinstripes tonight, as their 2014 record fell to 35-32.
Nice write-up...bad game!
ReplyDeleteJack, or anyone else;
Any ideas on what may be in the wind with Cisco, JR and Roberts? It seems funny the way news is handed out about those three guys.
I am wondering if Roberts, Johnson, Soriano will be DFA'd?
Also is Cervelli or JR Murphy hanging out there to be traded for a position player under 30?
I don't think see Roberts or Soriano going anywhere this year. As for Johnson, if he doesn't improve soon, I'd imagine he'll go, especially since Solarte's better anyway.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard any trade rumors about Cervelli or Murphy yet.
I can see a situation where they keep all three catchers on the roster and DFA Kelly Johnson. McCann has played some first base and Cervelli and Murphy are more than capable of it as well... no need in having KJ after that.
ReplyDeleteKJ's value comes from being a backup at first base, that's it recently.