In the bottom of the fifth, the Yankees showed some signs of life. Robinson Cano walked and Nick Swisher mashed a monster homer into the second deck in right, tying up the game at 3-3. Unfortunately, it would not all be good for Swisher Wednesday night. In the top of the seventh, Damaso Marte walked Teahen. John Buck then sent a Sergio Mitre pitch into deep right center where Swisher took a bad route, missing the ball and allowing the Royals winning run to cross the plate.

Bronx Cheers:
Joba: The young hurler only made it through 3.2 innings, throwing 91 pitches and giving up seven hits for three earned runs. He had three strikeouts, but walked four.

Posada: Jorge went 0-3 with one strikeout. He also allowed three stolen bases, though he was credited with catching John Buck stealing home, this was because Betancourt failed to execute the suicide squeeze.

Teixeira: He went 0-4 and stranded four runners.

Swisher in the field: You have to love Nick Swisher’s personality and his bat, but his adventures in the outfield can be problematic. His bad read of John Buck’s triple led to the Royals winning run.

Curtain Calls:
Bullpen: Aceves went two innings and only gave up two hits. Hughes and Mo both pitched an inning of scoreless ball as well.

Jeter: The Captain went 2-2 with a homerun. He was the only Pinstripe player to record multiple hits.

Swisher’s bat: His huge homer put the Yankees back in the game by tying this up.

Joba:
Joba’s struggles have been frustrating to say the least. He showed some promise with an excellent outing against the Red Sox, but folded against the lowly Kansas City Royals. The debate about Joba right now is not whether he should start or relieve, but whether he will even be on the postseason roster. The Yankees look to go for the long series in the ALDS, so they will only need three starters. This will give them time to figure out what to do with the young pitcher, but it will not make the decision any easier. Joba’s mindset, however, seems to be in the right place. After Wednesday’s game Joba stated, If they want me to fold towels, I’ll fold towels. I don’t really care. I’ll do anything to win on this team. Hopefully, New York can get the fist-pumping fireballer back on the mound to pick up some wins, instead of relegating him to towel boy. Still, he has a ways to go.

In the On Deck Circle:
The Yankees have an off-day today, as they pack up and head down to Tampa Bay. CC Sabathia (19-7, 3.21) will try to capture 20 wins as he faces off against David Price (9-7, 4.60). Sabathia had an excellent September, going 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA, and held the Red Sox to one hit, while striking out eight on Saturday. Price is coming off a tough outing against Texas on Sunday. He gave up five runs on six hits and got a no-decision. Price has a 3.11 ERA at home this season and is 0-0 with a 2.65 ERA against New York. First pitch is Friday in Tampa at 7:38pm.