Oh No...

After a 5 hour rain delay, the Yankees decided not to show up to the rubber match tonight against the Nationals. As a result, the Yankees were shut out at home for the first time, losing to the Nationals 3-0, and ultimately losing a series to the worst team in baseball. It was also the first homerless game at the new Yankee Stadium. If more fans were on hand to witness this let down, the boos would have been deafening. I don't understand how the Yankees were 21-0 before these games against the Nationals when holding their opponent to 3 runs or less, and in the last two games, they've lost 3-2 and 3-0. They are now 21-2 in these situations.

The Yankees will be sorry they let two of these games get away, I can tell you that much. With the Red Sox playing the Nationals next, I can almost guarantee they will take all three. The Yankees will need to make up these games against another team; maybe they'll wake up and start winning some games against the Red Sox. Let's hope this series doesn't put the Yankees offense into an extended slump.

Joba Chamberlain allowed three runs in 6 innings, although his outing wasn't pretty by any stretch of the imagination. He breezed through the first 3 innings, allowing only 1 run, throwing only 30 pitches. However, he unravelled in the next two innings. In the fourth, he allowed one hit and walked three, including a walk to Wil Nieve with two outs to plate a run. In the fifth, he allowed two doubles, allowing the third run to score. Ten of Chamberlain's outs came via the groundball, versus only 1 fly ball out (on a fouled bunt attempt).

Craig Stammen got his first win of the season, and of his career, against the Yankees tonight. He pitched 6 1/3 innings of no run ball, and really used his sinker ball well tonight. The Yankees continued their struggles against new pitchers, and if I were an opposing manager, I would bring in 3 rookies to face the Yankees in a 3 game series; you're guaranteed to win at least 2.

In other news, Brett Gardner made a sensational play up against the wall in the top of the 8th, only to leave the game with what must have been at least a concussion. He slammed into the wall after making the catch, and his head whip-lashed back. Hopefully he'll be okay in a few days.

The Yankees will now hit the road to face the Florida Marlins, who thankfully, won a rain shortened game against the Red Sox Thursday 2-1 in 6 innings. The Yankee pitchers will get to swing the bats for the first time all season. Joe Girardi and the Yankee Brass must be crossing their fingers, hoping to avoid another Chien-Ming Wang hitting/baserunning nightmare from occuring.