Game 127: Rangers 7, Yankees 2

August 28, 2009 by Tamar Chalker

AJ Burnett was looking for a little redemption and the Yankees were hoping to pick up the series win, as they took on the Texas Rangers in the final game of the series this afternoon. Burnett’s control was much better than it has been of late, however, the Yankees’ offense was unable to capitalize on their many opportunities and the Rangers walked away with the series, winning 7-2. This is just the second series, since the All-Star Break, that New York has dropped.

Burnett came out dealing, striking out two in the top of the first and pitching eleven of his twelve pitches for strikes. The Yankee offense looked aggressive as Damon walked and stole second. Teixeira connected with an RBI single to center and the Yankees had the 1-0 lead. The Yankees had runners on in the second and managed to load the bases in the third, but failed to score. Meanwhile, AJ piled up the Ks and kept the Rangers from reaching base.

In the fourth, AJ struck out the first two batters he faced. On the 2-2 pitch to Hamilton, Burnett appeared to catch him looking, but the pitch at the knees was called a ball and the next pitch landed in the dirt giving Texas their first baserunner. AJ seemed to lose his focus and walked the next batter before giving up a three-run bomb to Ian Kinsler, putting Texas on the board and in front 3-1. In the bottom of the fourth, the Yankees got a run back after Jeter and Damon both walked. The Captain distracted Nibbert by stealing third and Teixeira sent the next pitch into right for another RBI single. AJ pitched 1-2-3 fifth and sixth innings, but the Pinstripes’ offense failed to bail him out.

Coke relieved Burnett in the top of the seventh and immediately gave up a ground-rule double to Murphy. The next batter put down a nice bunt towards third. Alex should have called Coke off, but the pitcher grabbed the ball and sent a throw to first that pulled Cano off the bag. Unfortunately, that was not the last mistake Coke would make, as he gave up a three-run homer to Davis, giving the Rangers the 6-2 edge. In the bottom of the seventh, the Bombers threatened. Damon and Teix both got on base, but A-Rod, Matsui and Swisher each struck out. Ian Kinsler sent his second homerun out of the park in the eighth, to cap off the Rangers’ rout of New York.

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Bronx Cheers:

Coke: He was awful…just awful. In fact, I may spend the rest of the day swearing whenever a commercial for Coca-Cola comes on. In .2 innings pitched, Coke gave up three hits for three earned runs, and effectively taking the Yankees out of the game.

Cano and A-Rod: Both left five runners stranded on base. Alex did pick up a hit, but he struck out twice.

RISP: The Yankees were two for twelve with runners in scoring position. Perhaps they were trying to even out last night when they were perfect in this category? There were twelve bombers left on base today.

Curtain Calls:

AJ Burnett:Forgetting his one bad pitch to Ian Kinsler, Burnett had a phenomenal game going. His twelve strikeouts were a season high and he pitched four 1-2-3 innings. Burnett only gave up three walks and two hits during the outing, which was a big step in the right direction, even if the result wasn’t what he had hoped.

Teixeira: Mark went 2-5 and had both of New York’s RBIs.

Damon: Almost every time he got to bat, Johnny managed to find a way on base. He went 2-3, scoring one run and walking twice. He also had a stolen base, his tenth of the season.

Strategy Musings:

Offense: Today seemed like the type of game where the Yankees were just waiting to bust out…yet somehow failed to pull it off. From the start the Pinstripes’ baserunners were aggressive, as Damon, Jeter and Cabrera each stole bases off Nippert and Teagarden. When Jeter stole third base in the fourth, it seemed like an odd decision, but it appeared to rattle Nippert enough that he gave up an RBI single to Teixeira. The Yankees are capable of stealing bases, which is nice to see as we move closer to the postseason.

Girardi and the Bullpen:Personally, I think Girardi is not a bad manager. I think he’s improved over the last year and while he occasionally makes a bad call (ahem…bunting Swisher) you cannot expect him to be perfect. Still, he continues to struggle in managing the bullpen. The players have to help him by performing, but it seems that Girardi fails to realize when someone is struggling before it is too late. It was clear early that Coke did not have it today. He was bad on the mound and he made a bad play off it. For a former catcher, you’d think Girardi would have a better handle on his pitching staff.

In the On Deck Circle:

Tomorrow night, CC Sabathia (15-7, 3.59) will try to stop the Yankees’ skid as Mark Buehrle (11-7, 3.92) and the Chicago White Sox come to town. CC has been perfect in August, winning his past five starts with a 2.65 ERA. That streak started when the Yankees travelled to Chicago and the Yankees won this same match-up by a score of 8-5. While CC has been perfect, Buehrle has struggled. He is searching for his first victory since he through his perfect game on July 23. He is 0-4 with a 6.21 ERA since that historic day. Buehrle has a terrible career record against the Yankees. He is 1-6 with a 6.84 ERA, and if I were him I’d be worried about how the Yankees bats will respond to a rather tepid offensive performance today. First pitch will be at 7:05pm at the New Yankee Stadium.

 
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