Dumb and Dumber

Despite a bad loss to Boston and two disasters against the Rays this month, today's contest was by far the worst at Yankee Stadium this season. Several factors gave today's game this dubious honor. First, it was absolutely disgusting watching David Huff get hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of A-Rod. Of course, it involved A-Rod. Everything does. But it was really, really painful to see. You have to feel for the guy, especially with his family in New York to watch him pitch. Fortunately, he is OK and even called the Yankees to let them know about it.

That being said, on to the nightmare that was today's blown six run lead and a loss to one of baseball's worst teams. There are several culprits that we can blame. First, we'll start with CC Sabathia. I know he gave the team a good shot to win, leaving after 6 innings with a 10-5 lead, but he kept the Indians in the game. He blew a 3-0 lead and allowed the Indians to tie it, then gave up runs in consecutive innings after the Yankees had a couple of six run leads. CC looked like he had no control of his fastball, and I'm starting to wonder if he and Cervelli aren't having trouble getting on the same page. Aside from Javier Vazquez, Sabathia has been the least reliable starting pitcher this season for the Bombers.

The final two culprits earn the title "Dumb and Dumber today." DUMB: Yankees manager Joe Girardi. I completely agree that Sabathia did not need to come out for the seventh inning. It was a five run game, and Sabathia didn't have his best stuff. Fine. He brings in David Robertson. Also fine. And of course, Robertson gets ahead of a batter 0-2 and promptly plunks him. After giving up a run and getting an out, he comes out due to back soreness, so Joe calls on Sergio Mitre. Also fine. Mitre comes in and walks the first batter he faces, with the score still 10-6. Don't even consider the fact that Mitre has been a starter who can pitch several innings, but Girardi yanks him after one batter and brings in Damaso Marte, who retires Russell Branyan and comes out of the game.

Instead of sticking with Mitre, or even Marte, Girardi tries to set the record for the number of pitchers used in an inning and brings in Joba Chamberlain, who was absolutely awful. Four hits and a walk later, the Yankees had completely blown the lead and lost to the Indians. I can't tell what the problem is with Joba (DUMBER): he's either out of shape, a total head case, or the organization has completely ruined him with the starter-reliever switch every single season. The worst part of Joba's outing was the base hits he gave up to a bunch of no names.

I refuse to pick on any of the hitters today, even if they didn't hit for the last half of the game. You score 11 runs, you win the game. Especially when you give your "ace" a couple of different 6 run leads. This game was completely on two people: Joe Girardi and Joba Chamberlain. No one else. After starting the season 21-8, the Yankees are 8-12 over their last 20 games. Today was a bad, painful loss to one of the weakest teams in baseball. The next two games are absolute must wins against Cleveland. It will be completely unacceptable to do anything other than take 3 of 4 from the Tribe.