Game recap: Yankees at Rockies 6/19/07

After scoring 41 runs in three games the last time the Yankees were in Colorado in 2002, they were only able to score one run in the opening game of the renewal of the storied Yankees-Rockies rivalry.

Their only run came in the top of the second inning. Alex Rodriguez led off with a single. He then went to third base on a Jorge Posada double. Hideki Matsui followed with an RBI ground out. However, with Posada at third base and one out, they were unable to score more runs.

The Rockies were able to tie the game against Mike Mussina and the Yankees in the third. Wily Taveras led off with a bunt single, stole second and scored on a Garrett Atkins single.

They took the lead for good in the fifth inning. Kaz Matsui singled with one out. He followed this with a steal of second base. Matt Holliday and his .364 batting average was able to drive him home with an RBI single. Catcher Yorvit Torrealba added a solo home run in the seventh to give the Rockies at 3-1 lead.

Mussina (3-4) gave up all three runs during his six innings of work. He also gave up seven hits, but struck out six and walked only two.

Josh Fogg (3-5) was able to keep the Yankees' offense in check. He gave up only one run and four hits in seven innings. Manny Corpas, LaTroy Hawkins and Brian Fuentes all came in from the bullpen and shut the door. Fuentes recorded his 19th save in the process.

The Yankees did have their chances to come back, however. In the eighth inning, they had the bases loaded with two outs. Posada then grounded out into a fielder's choice to end the threat.

In the ninth inning, Matsui led off with a double. He then went to third on a Robinson Cano ground out. He would be stranded there, as Miguel Cairo and Johnny Damon both struck out.

The Yankees saw a rather different infield today. Both Posada and Damon saw time at first base tonight. Posada returned to the catcher's spot later in the game. With Andy Pettitte starting tomorrow night, Posada will be the starting catcher.

With this loss, the Yankees lost ground in the AL East and the Wild Card, with both Boston and Detroit winning. They are now nine games behind Boston and five games behind Detroit.