Close but no Cigar

You can point to a number of things and call that the reason for the Yankees losing today. Whether it is Cano's key error early in the game to allow a runner to score from second on a groundout, Jayson Nix's inability to get any hits with runners in scoring position, or Andy Pettitte's ineffectiveness. With all of that being said, the Yankees were gritty in today's game and it never felt like they were out of it. They kept battling and coming back but the knockout punch was delivered in the eighth by Josh Donaldson of the A's on a go-ahead solo home run. Following that home run allowed by Boone Logan, the Yankees could not score as Wells made the last out of the game following a Gardner base hit and an intentional walk to Robinson Cano. The Yankees were 3-8 with runners in scoring position but were still unable to come out on top as opposed to the A's who were 0-9 with RISP but were able to win by hitting three home runs.

Another positive taken from this game was reliever Preston Claiborne's Major League debut. Claiborne was originally drafted by the Pirates in 2006, but did not sign and was ultimately drafted by the Yankees four years later. The young righty pitched two perfect innings for the Yankees, but since Robertson was unavailable Girardi went to Logan in the eighth who gave up the home run. Andy Pettitte has been shaky since Tuesday's start against the Astros. He gave up three earned runs in five innings of work today as he left with a high pitch count. Pettitte may need to get skipped because he is pitching with what looks like fatigue. He is the oldest starter in baseball, and he needs to rest every once in a while in order to remain effective.

The Yankees go 7-3 on the home stand and are heading to Colorado to face the Rockies for three games after a day off tomorrow. Hiroki Kuroda will try to continue his dominance against a Rockies lineup that can hit in a high altitude climate. Jorge De La Rosa will pitch against the Yankees in the opening game.