Total Domination

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
LA Angels	0	0	6	0	0	4	0	2	0		12	18	2
N.Y. Yankees	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	3		6	12	0

Don't let those three runs in the 9th for the Yanks fool you, this game was a blowout. The Angels outplayed the Yanks in every facet of the game, and rolled to an easy 12-6 win, their fourth in a row. They really look like the best team in baseball. They're close to flawless; they hit, they pitch, they run, and they can field the ball, and they're very well managed. And it's not just tonight's game, they've looked great for a while now.

Andy Pettitte started for the Yankees and got shelled. It was one of his worst two starts of the year (The other being the game he gave up ten runs to the Royals on 6/7.). In 5.1 innings pitched Pettitte allowed 9 runs on 11 hits, while walking 3 and striking out 4. Two of the hits were 3-run home runs off the bats of Torii Hunter and Juan Rivera, that both came in the 3rd inning.

Chris Britton relieved Pettitte in the 6th, and was just as bad. In 3.2 innings, he allowed 3 runs on 7 hits. He also gave up a 3-run homer, this one was hit by Vladimir Guerrero.

The Yankees defense, especially Robinson Cano, did not help the pitchers either tonight. There were three or four plays that Cano should have made that he didn't. I don't know what's wrong with him, but he seems to have fallen into a defensive slump. He needs Larry Bowa screaming in his ear. There was another ball hit tonight that should have been caught, but fell in between Melky Cabrera and Bobby Abreu. An apparent miscommunication by the two outfielders. The line score shows no errors for the Yanks, but believe me, they made several.

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Pettitte (L, 12-8)	5.1	11	9	9	3	4	2	4.18
Britton	3.2	7	3	3	0	1	1	3.38

ANGELS PITCHING

The only Yankees offensive players that deserve mention are Melky Cabrera, who finally had a good day with the bat going 3-for-4 with a triple, and two runs scored, Xavier Nady, who homered and also picked up a single, and Bobby Abreu who homered for the third time in two days.

Oh, and Ivan Rodriguez took time off from looking very average behind the plate to pick up his first single as a Yankee.

Speaking of looking average, how bad has Derek Jeter looked lately? He's really starting to look old out there. I know, you're not supposed to talk bad about The Captain in Yankee-land, but I'm just telling it how it is, and he's playing some bad baseball, both offensively and defensively. Since the All-Star break he's hitting .255 with a homer and 7 RBI.

Another item worth mentioning is the umpires who continue to miss calls constantly, not only for the Yankees, but for every team. I've never seen umpires make as many blatant mistakes than this year. Today Ivan Rodriguez was called out at home plate when he clearly beat the throw and touched home plate with his hand well before being tagged. He was clearly safe. It's just one of the many examples of blown calls by the terrible MLB umpires this season. Some off these fools should lose their job.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, DH	4	0	1	2	1	0	3	.315
Jeter, SS	5	0	0	1	0	0	4	.280
Abreu, RF	5	1	1	2	0	0	1	.287
Rodriguez, A, 3B	5	0	1	0	0	1	1	.326
Giambi, 1B	3	0	1	0	0	1	1	.257
a-Sexson, PH-1B	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.225
Cano, 2B	4	0	0	0	0	1	3	.263
Nady, LF	3	2	2	1	1	0	0	.328
Rodriguez, C	3	0	1	0	0	1	1	.295
b-Betemit, PH	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.248
Cabrera, CF	4	2	3	0	0	0	0	.251
Totals	38	6	12	6	2	4	14
a-Singled for Giambi in the 8th. b-Singled for Rodriguez in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Rodriguez, A (23, Garland). 3B: Cabrera (1, Garland). HR: Abreu (14, 4th inning off Garland, 0 on, 1 out), Nady (15, 7th inning off Garland, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Damon; Abreu 4; Rodriguez, A 2; Giambi; Sexson; Nady 5; Rodriguez; Betemit; Cabrera 5. RBI: Abreu 2 (73), Damon 2 (46), Nady (61), Jeter (49). 2-out RBI: Damon. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano; Jeter. GIDP: Rodriguez. Team LOB: 7.

ANGELS OFFENSE

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Chone Figgins (4-for-5, RBI, 3 R, SB)

HONORABLE MENTION: Garrett Anderson (4-for-5, 2B, R)

GOATS OF THE GAME: Andy Pettitte for stinking up the mound, and Robinson Cano for leaving his glove at home (for the past few games).

The Yankees will look to even the series tomorrow night at The Stadium, but with Sidney Ponson going for the Yanks, that doesn't seem likely. Ervin Santana will make the start for the Angels. Game Time: 7:05 p.m. - TV: MY9 - Radio: WCBS 880