(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)I'm really getting sick of this crap. Why this team can't hit guys they've never seen before, when all they're carrying is mediocre stuff to the mound, is something I cannot figure out. Bryan Bullington is that latest nobody to thoroughly embarrass the Yankees. In 19 career appearances coming into yesterday's game, the right-hander was 0-7 with a 5.02 ERA. Yesterday, he held the Yankees to just two hits and a walk over eight innings, while striking out five. Robinson Cano and were the only Yankees to pick up hits, both singles. He pitched well, I'll give him that, but two hits is embarrassing.
A.J. Burnett nearly matched the performance of Bullington, holding the Royals to just a run on four hits and three walks, while striking out six over eight innings. The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the first. Willie Bloomquist hit a single and stole second, moved to third on Francisco Cervelli's throwing error, and then scored on Billy Butler's RBI single. The error was one of three on the day for the Yanks, and two for Cervelli himself, and I think it's about time we all stop overrating his defense.
Anyway, while Burnett deserved a better fate on this day, as you know by now that run would be enough for KC thanks to the disappearing act by the Yankees bats. The embarrassing loss ending what was a pretty disappointing 3-3 road trip. Splitting two in Texas isn't a big deal, but this team should be able to take 3 of 4 from the Royals.
Tampa beat Baltimore so the Yankees now head home with a small one-game lead in the division, and a four-game series coming up with the Tigers. Game one is tonight at the stadium, with Javier Vazquez going up against Max Scherzer. First pitch is set for 7:05 pm, and the game will be on YES.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Bryan Bullington (W, 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K)
HONORABLE MENTION: A.J. Burnett (L, 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K)
GOATS OF THE GAME: The Yankees Lineup
