Burnett Stinks Again, Yanks Fall 9-4

(REUTERS/John Gress)

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
N.Y. Yankees	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	4	6	1
Chi. White Sox «	4	0	1	4	0	0	0	0	x	9	9	1

WP: F. Garcia (11-5) LP: A. Burnett (9-12)

After a game like that there isn't much to say. A.J. Burnett was once again awful. After being handed a 1-0 lead, the erratic right-hander lasted just 3.1 innings, allowing 9 runs (8 earned) on 8 hits and 3 walks.

That 1-0 lead would last just two batters into the bottom of the 1st, when Omar Vizquel followed Juan Pierre's double with an RBI single. A few batters later the Sox had a lead and by the end of the inning a two-run double by A.J. Pierzynski would build the lead was up to three.

After a scoreless 2nd, the Yankees got one run back, only to have Burnett give it right back. He then allowed four more in the 4th before exiting the game. His ERA is now 5.17 and his record is a pathetic 9-12. I could go into exactly why he was terrible, but I think we've all lost our patience with him--I know I have--and it's just easier to say he sucked.

Offensively, the Yankees didn't do much against Freddy Garcia, but falling behind 9-1 after three can be a bit deflating. The only positives on the offensive end came from Nick Swisher, Brett Gardner, and Ramiro Pena. Swisher had two hits, including homer no. 23, a fairly meaningless 2-run shot in the 9th. Gardner also picked up two hits, stole his 36th base, and drove in a run, and Pena went 1-for-2 with a stolen base and made several nice plays in the field. Another bright spot was Sergio Mitre, who threw 4.2 scoreless innings in relief.

However, anyway you slice it, any positives you want to highlight, this one was still a crap-fest. I was concerned heading into October, and had it not been for Tampa's struggles (they also lost last night) this month the Yankees would be 4 or 5 games out. They're very lucky to be where they are after playing so poorly for three+ weeks.

One thing to feel good about, is that CC Sabathia, AKA the only Yankees starter I trust, will be on the mound today as the Yanks look to even the series. Though it won't be an easy one for the Yankees bats, because they'll be facing White Sox ace, Jon Danks. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., and the game will be on YES.

Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Brett Gardner, LF	3	1	2	1	1	0	1	.286
Derek Jeter, SS	4	0	0	1	0	1	2	.273
Mark Teixeira, 1B	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	.258
Robinson Cano, 2B	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	.320
Nick Swisher, RF	4	1	2	2	0	0	0	.293
Jorge Posada, DH	4	0	0	0	0	2	1	.253
Curtis Granderson, CF	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	.247
Francisco Cervelli, C	3	0	1	0	0	0	2	.240
Ramiro Pena, 3B	2	1	1	0	0	1	1	.220
a- Marcus Thames, PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.317
Eduardo Nunez, 3B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Totals	31	4	6	4	2	5
a-struck out for Pena in the 8th
Batting
2B - Nick Swisher (29, Garcia)
HR - Nick Swisher (23, Linebrink)
RBI - Brett Gardner (40), Derek Jeter (59), Nick Swisher 2 (72)
SB - Brett Gardner (36, 2nd base off Garcia/Pierzynski), Ramiro Pena (6, 2nd base off Garcia/Pierzynski)
RISP - 1-8 (Derek Jeter 0-2, Mark Teixeira 0-1, Curtis Granderson 0-1, Francisco Cervelli 0-1, Brett Gardner 1-1, Jorge Posada 0-1, Robinson Cano 0-1) Team LOB - 3
Fielding
DP - Cano-Teixeira
E - Francisco Cervelli (10, Throwing)

Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
A.J. Burnett (L,9-12)	3.1	8	9	8	3	3	0	5.17
Sergio Mitre	4.2	1	0	0	1	0	0	3.47
WP - A.J. Burnett 2 (13), Sergio Mitre (1)
Pitches-Strikes - A.J. Burnett 81-47, Sergio Mitre 52-36
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - A.J. Burnett 5-2, Sergio Mitre 9-4
Batters Faced - A.J. Burnett 21, Sergio Mitre 15

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Freddy Garcia (W, 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) HONORABLE MENTION: Sergio Mitre (4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K) GOAT OF THE GAME: A.J. Burnett (3.1, 8 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 3 K)