Crawford and the Drays Top Yanks 6-4

Yet another blown lead.

Today, though, I am going to point the finger of blame squarely at one man.

Joe Torre.

You heard me. I have always supported Joe Torre and his decisions. I cannot anymore. Tonight was an absolute managing debacle.

Chien-Ming Wang made his first start since coming off the DL. He pitched very well the entire game and gave up one hard hit ball in the 7th inning. Joe Torre instantly pulls him.

Wang was at 81 pitches.

Now, it is completely possible that Wang is on some sort of pitch count limit. I, however, have not read that anywhere. He also made some rehab starts, so I find a pitch count limit of 81 unlikely. Joe, if his limit was 80, I apologize for what I am about to say.

What the heck are you thinking?

Joe goes ahead and pulls, quite possibly, one of the best double play pitchers in the league. He then brings up a guy who is overworked and has been atrocious this year... and has him IBB the next batter to load the bases... in order to set up the double play.

Wait, what?

Take out the double play pitcher... then set up the double play.

Ok, Joe.

The result? Cairo makes a great play to catch a line out. Torre then brings in the lefty specialist (a guy taking up a roster spot so he can "specialize" in getting lefties out) who promptly serves up a grand slam.

On top of that, he starts making defensive substitutions in the SEVENTH INNING with a ONE RUN LEAD. He already proved his idiocy with late game moves last week when he lifted Giambi for a pinch runner in the seventh. Now Joe lifts Damon and Phelps and replaces them with two terrible hitters while clinging to a one run lead?

Who do you think made the last two outs of the game? That's right, those two defensive substitutions.

Joe, I do not know why you continue to trust Vizcaino.

Bruney and Farnsworth are much better (and that's saying a lot).

Myers? If he continues to perform poorly he needs to be off this roster. Colter Bean or Jose Veras would be more valuable in that roster spot.

In another bout of good news (sarcasm), Derek Jeter is down and out in the first inning on a pitch taken to the leg. It seems like it missed the bone, but I have not heard any developments on that injury yet. I would not be surprised if he misses at least 1-3 games.

Expect Joe Torre to, moronically, put Cairo in the two hole if that happens. Great Joe, let's just throw all the low OBP guys at the top of the lineup while we are at it. (UPDATE - Jeter insists he'll play on Wednesday)

Pettitte needs to pitch a miracle tomorrow so the bullpen can get some rest. They will be called on Thursday to relieve what will, most likely, be a short first start by Hughes.

The Yankees are on their first 5-game losing streak since June of 2005.

Tough week to be a Yanks fan.