Yanks Blanked by Orioles 6-0

The Yankees offense went missing again tonight as they fell to the O's 6-0. The loss drops them to 9-10 on the year, and 3 games behind first place Boston.

FINAL	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
N.Y. Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	6	1
Baltimore	0	1	3	0	0	0	2	0	X		6	9	0

Ian Kennedy got the start and was disappointing. In 2.2 IP he allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks. One positive is that he did strike out 4, but I'm definitely grasping at straws there. 85 pitches in 2.2 innings is not going to cut it, not on this level, not on any level. Eventually Hughes and Kennedy are going to have to learn that you must attack the zone to be effective in this league, but like I've been saying we must be very patient with these youngsters, and hope that eventually they realize this.

Another young pitcher, Ross Ohlendorf also got roughed up tonight allowing 2 runs on 3 hits in 3.1 innings pitched. Billy Traber gave up one hit and allowed two inherited runners to score in his inning of work.

On the bright side, Joba Chamberlain made his first appearance since returning from the bereavement list, and pitched scoreless inning with two strikeouts. He also made a nifty kick-save on a ball headed up the middle to retire Nick Markakis.

IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Kennedy (L, 0-2) 2.2 5 4 4 5 4 1 9.64 Ohlendorf 3.1 3 2 2 1 3 0 3.77 Traber 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2.57 Chamberlain 1.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0.00

ORIOLES PITCHING

Like I said before the Yankees offense went missing again tonight as they were only able to scatter 6 hits against O's pitchers Brian Burres and Jim Johnson. The only Yankee to have more than one hit on the night was Alex Rodriguez who went 2-for-4. Robinson Cano and Johnny Damon continue to struggle combining to go 0-for-7 on the night.

Jorge Posada returned to the lineup, and played a decent first base, and got a hit, both things that Jason Giambi hasn't been able to do.

If the Yankees are going to contend this year the offense has to wake up very soon. I don't know what has to be done to make that happen, but they're not going to win many ballgames if they don't hit.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	2	0	0	0	2	2	0	.197
Cabrera, CF	3	0	0	0	1	0	2	.296
Jeter, SS	4	0	1	0	0	1	2	.300
Rodriguez, DH	4	0	2	0	0	0	1	.307
Posada, 1B	4	0	1	0	0	0	3	.261
Matsui, RF	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.323
Ensberg, 3B	3	0	1	0	0	0	2	.375
a-Abreu, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.309
Cano, 2B	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	.164
Molina, C	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.333
Totals	31	0	6	0	4	3	14
a-Lined out for Ensberg in the 9th.
BATTING 3B: Jeter (2, Burres). TB: Jeter 3; Rodriguez 2; Posada; Matsui; Ensberg. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Posada; Rodriguez. GIDP: Molina. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Cabrera (3, 2nd base off Burres/Hernandez, R). FIELDING E: Cano (4, fielding). DP: (Jeter-Cano-Posada). Pickoffs: Kennedy (Fahey at 2nd base).

ORIOLES HITTING

The Yankees look to salvage the final game of the series tomorrow afternoon with Andy Pettitte on the mound, Steve Trachsel will start for the Orioles. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m., and the game can be seen on YES and heard on WCBS 880.