Yanks' Bats Cannot Stay Hot
By Joe Davis
The New York Yankees produced 19 runs in a pitching melt down Monday, could not keep their offense rolling Tuesday. With their best starter on the mound, the Yankees could not produce enough runs to get the win for Randy Johnson (1-1).
Last time the Yankees won 19-8, they choked for four straight games. Could last night's game predict another gagging episode to come?
As I looked back at the box score for tonight, I decided to compare it to last year's ALCS Game 4. They were both low scoring games. Yankees scored four runs in the ALCS, they scored two Tuesday.
Both games had an error. Tuesday's game featured an error by All-Star, Yankee great, Captain of the Greatest Team Ever: Derek Jeter. While in the ALCS, Tony "The Tiger" Clark made the error.
Both teams that won the game preceding the 19-8 shelling, ended up with 8 hits.
Even though A-Rod had 2 RBI in ALCS Game 4, he also left three people on base in both games (Tuesday he went 0-4). Also, A-Rod struck out once.
In both games, the Yankees produced more hits (12 in the ALCS, 9 Tuesday) and also produced more base runners (19 in the ALCS, 12 Tuesday).
I could not help laughing when I saw the box score to Tuesday's game. Hideo Nomo, who made his first ever start on 3-days rest in his career, pitched a gem — only giving up a run on a steroid-assisted homerun from Jason Giambi. But that is not why I was laughing.
I talked to a Yankee fan last night who was so enthused by the Yankee's coming out party, scoring 19 runs. Yet, they failed to realize that the next day, the team suffers from an offense hangover and they fail to produce enough runs to win the ballgame. It happens to just about any team. For example, the Boston Red Sox scored 12 runs against the Blue Jays on Monday night. Tuesday, the Red Sox only scored 3 runs in a loss to the Blue Jays because they were burned out. Now, to be fair, the Yankees outscored the Red Sox in just one inning Monday night. The Red Sox were facing a former Cy Young pitcher in Roy Halladay.
Also, Tuesday night, the New York Mets scored 16 runs against the Phillies. This was the first time since the days of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants that two teams scored 16+ runs in consecutive days (and this took place in a series between the two ball clubs). I challenge the Mets to score enough runs tomorrow to win the ballgame. I doubt that they will but, if so, I will tip my cap and call them my daddy (Pedro doesn't pitch till Thursday).
