A Frustrating Yankees Loss

CC Sabathia did the best he could this evening, going seven strong innings in the Yankees one-run loss. In the start, CC did not allow a hit until the sixth inning when everything fell apart for the lefty. He allowed three of the four runs in that inning. Two of the runs were driven in by Manny Machado on what was his 37th double of the season. Most players don't hit 37 doubles in a full season. Machado is a special player for the Orioles who they could ill afford to ever lose. He and Adam Jones are the core of this team along with Matt Wieters behind the dish. This is one of those games where you have to tip your cap to the Orioles offense that got the big hits when they mattered. The big blow of the game came in the seventh with Sabathia on the mound. Nate McLouth took him deep as he hit a towering shot off CC's breaking ball which was fooling batters all night. Fatigue may have factored into CC throwing that pitch right down the middle as he was worrying about a no-hitter early in the game. The letdown of almost throwing a no-hitter may become a letdown if the starting pitcher allows runs later on in the start. CC's fastball velocity was up tonight but eventually the Orioles put up a good fight against the veteran lefty and came out on top because of a late home run by McLouth. It's unfortunate that the Yankees lose another game to a division rival because sooner or later tonight's game may come back to haunt them. The division is tough this year, as everyone is .500 or better which doesn't bode well for the ailing Yankees who can't seem to get consistent offense from the middle of their order.

Robinson Cano had three hits tonight against Orioles pitching including a first inning RBI single to put the Yankees on the board. Cano's success is vital to the team's overall success because Cano is the type of player that cam put the Yankees on his back for a few weeks during a hot streak. Robinson has the ability to be a better hitter than Miguel Cabrera but in order to be considered the best you have to play like you are the best. Cano swings at pitches out of the zone too much, which contributes to his slumps. I don't think Miguel Cabrera has even heard of such a word, and definitely not in the last two years.

The Yankees have lost their last three games and six of their last ten. If they want to stay in the race, they need to play like the Orioles played them tonight. Tomorrow evening, David Phelps will try to pitch the Yankees out of a losing streak. Zach Britton will make the start for the birds as the Yankees are happy to see the lefty. In a handful of starts against the Yankees, Britton has gotten hammered by the Bombers. This is a much different team though so the Britton may be happier to see the Yankees this time around.