OK, it's time to panic

You know things aren't good when Mr. Sunshine himself, John Sterling, feels that his Yankees are not a good time.

From Neil Best's Watchdog blog:

"The Yanks make a lot of mistakes; bad teams do,'' he said during the top of the first Tuesday, referring specifically to the 0-2 pitch from Mike Mussina that the Orioles turned into a three-run double.

"Bad teams really lose all kinds of games. They lose 'em close, they lose 'em big, they lose high-scoring games, low-scoring games. They lose for different reasons."

Not good, Yankees fans.

Rock bottom

Tuesday night's game has to be rock bottom. It just has to be. As bad as this team has looked recently - and they've been awful - there is no conceivable way they can play as worse as they played in the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles.

It was supposed to be a night of new beginnings. While the weather was awful, Yankees fans saw a ray of hope in Alex Rodriguez. He hit a home run in his return...while the score was 10-0.

The most frustrating part of the night is that if Derek Jeter threw the ball four inches lower, the seven-run first inning would have only been a one-run first inning. But it happened, and Mike Mussina should have buckled down and not let it get to him. He's been on a great run recently, and it's a shame that stretch had to end in this fashion.

All told, the 20-25 Yankees have lost four in a row, six of their last seven and nine of their last 12. The duplication of their low point last season - 21-29 - is looking like a grim reality.

I'm not the most optimistic of fans but there is no way they will play this badly consistently. They could very well miss the playoffs, but the hitting and pitching will come eventually. And if they do miss the playoffs it won't be by much. While the Yankees are faltering, no team in the American League, especially the early wild-card contenders, has run away with anything.

The best part about a "rock bottom" scenario is that there is no where to go but up.

Going back to the game, Derek Jeter was hit on the hand and was removed from the game. X-rays came out negative and he is listed as day-to-day. Given the way the season has transpired thus far, it's shocking that there was no fracture. If Jeter had to miss an extended period of time, this season obviously wasn't meant to be.

Darrell Rasner will take the hill tonight to attempt to put an end to this nonsense. His turn in the rotation was skipped when Friday night's game against the Mets was rained out. Instead, Andy Pettitte started on his normal day on Saturday and blew up in the fourth inning. Rasner has given up four earned runs in his 12 innings this season.

The season starts tonight!

Yup. The season sure starts tonight.

Derek Jeter's costly error eventually lets in (at least) five unnecessary runs.

While Mike Mussina has done a bad job by letting the error affect him, it should still only be 1-0.

It's great that Alex Rodriguez is back. It's too bad Jeter and Mussina are spoiling his return.

Game 45 Preview: Orioles at Yankees

Baltimore Orioles (23-20)	New York Yankees (20-24)
Brian Roberts 2B	Johnny Damon LF
Melvin Mora 3B	Derek Jeter SS
Nick Markakis RF	Bobby Abreu RF
Aubrey Huff DH	Alex Rodriguez 3B
Kevin Millar 1B	Hideki Matsui DH
Luke Scott LF	Jason Giambi 1B
Ramon Hernandez C	Robinson Cano 2B
Adam Jones CF	Melky Cabrera CF
Freddie Bynum SS	Jose Molina C

Daniel Cabrera (4-1, 3.58 ERA) vs. Mike Mussina (6-3, 3.99 ERA)

Time: 7:05 p.m.
TV: YES, MLB.TV
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM Radio Channel 176

Orioles vs. Mussina

• Roberts: 18-39, 6 2B, 2 RBI
  
• Mora: 14-42, 2 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI
  
• Markakis: 4-12, 2 2B, 2 RBI
  
• Huff: 14-49, 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI
  
• Millar: 16-38, 3 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI
  
• Scott: No experience
  
• Hernandez: 5-19, 2 2B, 4 RBI
  
• Jones: No experience
  
• Bynum: 0-2, 2 K

Yankees vs. Cabrera

• Damon: 4-24, 5 RBI
  
• Jeter: 7-31, 2 RBI
  
• Abreu: 6-20, 1 2B, 2 RBI
  
• Rodriguez: 10-29, 2 2B, 2 HR 6 RBI
  
• Matsui: 12-31, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI
  
• Giambi: 2-10, 12 BB
  
• Cano: 6-25, 4 2B, 1 RBI
  
• Cabrera: 3-15, 3 2B, 4 RBI
  
• Molina: 0-4

Pregame concerns: Yes, Rodriguez is in the starting lineup. This is his first game since April 28 against Cleveland. ... Cabrera beat the Yankees on April 18. He gave up two earned runs and six hits in six innings. He is 2-3 with a 3.79 ERA in six career starts at Yankee Stadium.

Wet Bronx (again)

The forecast is calling for another rainy night at the Stadium. I was in Queens and the Bronx earlier today, and the weather was not pretty.

It appears the rain will let up a bit as the night progresses, but it also looks like the game could be delayed if this forecast holds true.

The series ahead

The New York Yankees (20-24) begin a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles (23-20) at Yankee Stadium tonight. The pitching matchups are:

Tonight - 7:05 p.m., YES
Daniel Cabrera - RHP (4-1, 3.58 ERA) vs. Mike Mussina - RHP (6-3, 3.99 ERA)

Tomorrow - 7:05 p.m., YES
Garrett Olson - LHP (3-0, 3.47 ERA) vs. Darrell Rasner - RHP (2-0, 3.00 ERA)

Thursday - 7:05 p.m., YES
Brian Burres - LHP (4-4, 3.47 ERA) vs. Ian Kennedy - RHP (0-3, 8.48 ERA)

Lester throws a no-hitter

Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox has just no-hit the Kansas City Royals.

This is a great story. The man was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and he came all the way back.

By the way, to those listening on ESPN's bonus coverage: How bad was Don Orsillo's call of the no-hitter? It sounded like he was just screaming into the microphone. There's a difference between getting excited and sounding like a buffoon.

(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Through 44 games

Through 44 games last season, the Yankees were in second place with a record of 20-24. However, they were 10.5 games behind the future world champion Boston Red Sox.

This season, the Yankees sit at the same record they did a year ago. While they are only six games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox, they are also in last place.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

The Yankees cannot rely on beating up the lesser teams in their division like they have the last decade. Every team in the division, especially the Tampa Bay Rays, seems to have improved.

The schedule does appear to lighten in the coming weeks, but as we've seen so far, nothing has been easy for the 2008 Yankees. They continue this homestand with three games against Baltimore (23-20) and three more against Seattle (18-27). For some reason, the Mariners return to New York after having been there three weeks earlier.

They then travel to Baltimore for three games and Minnesota (21-22) for four games. The Yankees then return home to face the great pitching of Toronto (23-23) for three games and Kansas City (21-22) for four games.

With Alex Rodriguez set to return tomorrow, the lineup will get a much-needed boost. Jorge Posada will also begin his rehab games in the near future. However, the starting pitching cannot put the lineup in an early hole. They have shown no comeback ability thus far. It seems that once they fall behind, they start swinging for the fences early in the count.

A look at the standings

I delve into the standings after all of the relevant Sunday games have been completed to track the Yankees' progress over the week that just ended.

Here is an updated look at the American League East standings and the American League Wild Card standings:

AL East

Boston Red Sox	27-19	--
Tampa Bay Rays	25-19	1.0
Baltimore Orioles	23-20	2.5
Toronto Blue Jays	23-23	4.0
New York Yankees	20-24	6.0

Wild Card

Tampa Bay Rays	25-19	--
Baltimore Orioles	23-20	1.5
Oakland Athletics	24-21	1.5
Toronto Blue Jays	23-23	3.0
Cleveland Indians	22-22	3.0
Texas Rangers	22-23	3.5
Kansas City Royals	21-22	3.5
Minnesota Twins	21-22	3.5
New York Yankees	20-24	5.0
Seattle Mariners	18-27	7.5
Detroit Tigers	17-27	8.0

Since the last look at the standings, the Yankees went 1-5. They lost two games in the AL East standings and lost 2.5 games in the Wild Card standings.

No words

Good thing Alex Rodriguez should be back on Tuesday.

However, it's tough to blame all of the offensive struggles on the fact that he and Jorge Posada are hurt. Scoring 12 runs in six games is absolutely inexcusable.

If the Yankees aren't at rock bottom yet, they are extremely close.

Game 44 Preview: Mets at Yankees

New York Mets (21-19)	New York Yankees (20-23)
Jose Reyes SS	Johnny Damon LF
Marlon Anderson LF	Bobby Abreu RF
David Wright 3B	Derek Jeter SS
Carlos Beltran CF	Hideki Matsui DH
Ryan Church RF	Jason Giambi 1B
Moises Alou DH	Robinson Cano 2B
Carlos Delgado 1B	Melky Cabrera CF
Brian Schneider C	Alberto Gonzalez 3B
Luis Castillo 2B	Jose Molina C

Oliver Perez (3-3, 4.61 ERA) vs. Chien-Ming Wang (6-1, 2.90 ERA)

Time: 8:05 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, XM Radio Channel 176

Mets vs. Wang

• Reyes: 1-4
  
• Anderson: 1-1
  
• Wright: 0-4
  
• Beltran: 1-4, 1 RBI
  
• Church: No experience
  
• Alou: No experience
  
• Delgado: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI
  
• Schneider: 0-1
  
• Castillo: 1-3

Yankees vs. Perez

• Damon: 1-4
  
• Abreu: 0-6, 4 BB
  
• Jeter: 4-12, 2 2B
  
• Matsui: 2-7, 2 HR, 4 RBI
  
• Giambi: 1-1, 1 2B, 1 RBI
  
• Cano: 4-8, 1 RBI
  
• Cabrera: 0-7
  
• Gonzalez: No experience
  
• Molina: 1-3
  

A-Rod still set to return Tuesday

Alex Rodriguez played in another simulated game in Tampa this afternoon, according to the AP.

Facing Yankees' minor leaguers, Rodriguez hit a grand slam - his second home run during the rehab process - and had four other hits as well as five walks.

He also fielded 54 grounders at third base and ran in the outfield.

“It’s the best I’ve felt since the injury,” Rodriguez said.

He will play in one more game on Monday before returning to New York.

What happened to taking pitches?

Andy Pettitte throws 40 pitches in the fourth inning to surrender the Yankees 2-0 lead.

Johan Santana, sitting for a half hour, goes out there right after and throws only six pitches. SIX!

This has been a common trend this season. Once the Yankees fall behind, they start swinging early in the count looking for the long ball. There's a reason why they're only scoring two runs per game.

Here are the pitch counts for Santana's last three starts:

• 114 pitches in 5 2-3 innings on April 29.
• 116 pitches in six innings on May 4.
• 116 pitches in six innings on May 10.

Through four innings today, Santana is at 55 pitches.

Wave 'em home Bobby

Johnny Damon does not need to be waved home with no outs. It would have been second and third with no outs, leading 2-0.

While the umpire seemed to blow the call, Damon should never have been sent in the first place. The team is struggling to score runs, so every out is precious. Ignoring the fallacy of the predetermined outcome (thanks, Michael Kay), Derek Jeter's lineout probably would have scored Damon anyway. Ryan Church had to slide to make the catch.

Of course, Bobby Abreu is stranded at second base. A two-out hit with a runner in scoring position is way too much to ask for.

A-Rod goes 1-4 in rehab game

Alex Rodriguez played in an extended spring training game in Florida this morning. He faced left-hander David Price, the first-overall selection by Tampa Bay in last year's draft.

Lisa Kennelly tells us how he did:

First AB: strikeout swinging
Second AB: first-pitch home run to right center
Third AB: flyout to right
Fourth AB: walk on five pitches
Fifth AB: strikeout looking on a curveball down and in

He also fielded three grounders at third base, two to his left.

All that really matters is if he made it through the game with no setbacks. We should have an update on how he feels after this afternoon's game in New York.

Game 43 Preview: Mets at Yankees

New York Mets (20-19)	New York Yankees (20-22)
Jose Reyes SS	Johnny Damon LF
Ryan Church RF	Bobby Abreu RF
David Wright 3B	Derek Jeter SS
Carlos Beltran CF	Hideki Matsui DH
Moises Alou LF	Jason Giambi 1B
Carlos Delgado 1B	Robinson Cano 2B
Damion Easley DH	Melky Cabrera CF
Brian Schneider C	Alberto Gonzalez 2B
Luis Castillo 2B	Chad Moeller 3B

Johan Santana (4-2, 3.10 ERA) vs. Andy Pettitte (3-4, 4.40 ERA)

Time: 1:05 p.m.
TV: YES, SNY
Radio: WCBS-AM 880, WFAN-AM 660, XM Radio Channel 176

Mets vs. Pettitte

• Reyes: 4-16
  
• Church: No experience
  
• Wright: 5-13, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  
• Beltran: 12-34, 3 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  
• Alou: 1-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI
  
• Delgado: 21-60, 3 2B, 5 HR, 17 RBI
  
• Easley: 16-56, 4 2B, 1 3B, 8 RBI
  
• Schneider: No experience
  
• Castillo: 1-9

Yankees vs. Santana

• Damon: 5-23, 3 2B, 4 RBI
  
• Abreu: 0-1, 2 BB
  
• Jeter: 5-17, 3 2B, 1 RBI
  
• Matsui: 6-15, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  
• Giambi: 3-12, 1 2B, 2 RBI
  
• Cano: 4-9
  
• Cabrera: 1-3
  
• Gonzalez: No experience
  
• Moeller: 0-6

Pregame concerns: Santana is 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in four career games (three starts) at Yankee Stadium. ... Pettitte is 7-3 with a 3.42 ERA in 16 career starts against the Mets. ... Pettitte has struggled recently. In his last four starts, he is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA. The team has also lost each of those four starts. He has given up 28 hits and 16 earned runs in 21 1-3 innings.

Makeup to be played in June

The Yankees announced that the makeup for tonight's rainout will be held in June as part of a likely two-stadium day-night doubleheader and not tomorrow or Sunday.

This would be the third time such a doubleheader will occur.

As a result, the Yankees will skip Darrell Rasner's scheduled turn in the rotation. Andy Pettitte will start tomorrow afternoon's game, weather permitting, of course.

Postponed

Peter Abraham, the man at the Stadium, is reporting that the game has been postponed with no announced makeup date.

I can't believe they sent everyone to the Stadium only to call the game less than 10 minutes after the scheduled first pitch.

We have a delay

The tarp is still on the field and the rain is still coming down.

The Yankees want to try to get this game in tonight, so I'll give an update should the game start.

If anything, the Yankees got some extra money from concessions and parking.

Wet Bronx

The weather in the Bronx does not look good for tonight's Subway Series opener. Looking at this, I'd be shocked if they played.

It is expected that there will be a day-night doubleheader tomorrow if tonight's game is rained out.

Idea stolen (allegedly) from The 'Ropolitans.