Umm...guys?

Can someone let the Yankees know this game started at 1 PM? It is, in fact, not a FOX start. Completely lackluster effort by the Yankees so far today. Jeter got a hustle infield single, stole second (on a failed hit and run), was bunted over to third, but neither Teixeira nor A-Rod could get him home with one out.

AJ Burnett had been good but is laboring in this 7th inning as some guy named Tolbert got through to him for the 1st of 2 Twins runs. This is the problem with having no bullpen.

Girardi now goes to the 'pen...with the bases loaded. Wouldn't this move have made sense 3 batters ago?

Let's see if the Yankees can find a way to rally for another win. You would think they would do better against a guy with a 4.91 ERA. But this team seems to struggle against bad pitchers sometimes. They need to hold it at 2-0 so a bloop and a blast can get them back into the game.

Update 3:17 PM: JA comes on and leaves the bases loaded. Huge spot right there. Now God Bless America.

Meanwhile, as I look down 3rd Avenue in Manhattan, there's a huge protest. Any ideas why?

Update 3:24 PM: I think God Bless America is the Yankees' secret weapon. With the extra time it takes, I think it slows down the other pitcher's rhythm. If you go look at opposing starting pitchers at Yankee Stadium since they've done God Bless America, I'm sure the ERA goes up at least another run or two in the bottom of the 7th.

Blast by A-Rod, double by Matsui, sacrifice by Swisher (why does this team continue to sac bunt), and then a sac fly by Melky to tie it at 2. Love the 3rd base coaching this year from Rob Thomson: way more aggressive, much better decisions and the runners seem like they have a better idea of what they're doing before the ball is hit.

Nice play by Punto on Pena's pop up to get out of the inning

Update 3:29 PM: Here's my problem with Swisher's bunt: I know that Matsui is a slow runner and the goal at home is to tie the game, but I think the Yankees ended a rally by having Swish lay one down. Slowey started out the inning by giving up a HR and a double...so you hand him an out? I don't get it. And since they had Cabrera trying to hit a fly ball, they gave up two outs. I don't know if they score if Swish doesn't bunt, but wouldn't you like to try to extend that rally? You need one base hit from Swisher, Cabrera or Pena and a pitcher who is struggling. I dunno, I was taught never to give the other team outs and it just seems like self-defeating.

Update 3:49 PM: Again Girardi waits until the last possible second to go the bullpen and Brett Tomko (with huge help from a great defensive play by Mark Teixeira) helped him and the Yankees out there. Now we need a run for the Yankees, a quick save by Mo, and another series win.

Btw...how many times has Girardi gotten burned by leaving a reliever for more than one inning? Yesterday with Coke, today with JA. When you get a few outs of success from guys in this bullpen, maybe you should just be happy with that.

Update 4:06 PM: So the Yankees rally, get the bases loaded, Slowey out of the game, a 3-0 count on Matsui. Godzilla then takes a strike...and swings at ball four--twice!

13 years ago today Mo got his first save. I'm feeling old today between that fact and the truth that Freshmen during my Senior year in college are graduating today.