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Jobu reviews another series loss by the New York Yankees.

The Yankees just finished a series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Coming into the game, the Yankees held a two game lead over the Orioles and a 3.5 game lead on the Rays. Again, we’re keeping with last week’s format, and we’ll keep that format until the Yankees start trying to win games consistently. After all, my time is pretty valuable… right? Anyway, here we go:

The first game was never really in hand. CC Sabathia was on the hill against James Shields. The Yankees typically own Shields, and he didn’t pitch that well in this game, but it was enough to stop the Yankees feeble hitting attack. I’ve noticed of late that the Yankees like to get their scoring done in one inning, at the beginning of the game. If the pitching doesn’t hold the lead, oh well. In game one, they managed three runs off of Shields in the top of the third, and that was it. Sabathia was, once again, OK in the loss, although Robertson got the actual L when, in the top of the eighth, Robinson Canó didn’t dive on a ball in the hole. It got through and the winning run scored. Apparently Canó was dealing with an injured hip on the play, but you have to stop that ball. There are no excuses.

Game two was more of the same, with the Yankees jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a home run by Canó and then never even whiffing a run the rest of the game. Alex Cobb settled down and shut the Yankees down the rest of the way. Freddy García gave us yet another five inning, five run performance, and the Yankees lost the game, and lone possession of first place.

At least Steve Pearce is helping… ah? (J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Yankees actually managed to salvage game three 6-4, which coupled with the minor miracle of the Jays beating the Orioles, gave them first place back for a day. The Yankees scored three in the top of the third to give Kuroda a 3-1 lead, and he promptly blew it in the bottom of the fifth. The Yankees retook the lead on a home run by Russell Martin (hey now, he’s over .200!) but Kuroda gave that back in the bottom of that very inning. Finally, the Yankees got some help from an Elliot Johnson wild throw home that scored two runs, and they took a 6-4 lead. The bullpen managed to tape together some solid innings, and the Yankees actually won the game. Amazing.

Up next is the most important series of the Yankees season, a big four gamer in Baltimore against the Orioles. If they’re going to win the division, and possibly even make the playoffs, they need to send a message in this series. As a fan, my confidence is at an all-time low, but there’s always faith. I guess we’ll find out how angry and sad I am for the next series review post.

Featured image courtesy of: J. Meric/Getty Images

Martin Stezano

About Martin Stezano

Uruguayan born and American raised with a unique perspective on the domestic and international sports scenes. It will both tickle your funny bone and enlighten your mind. Love it or hate it...just read it.