The A’s thrashed the Yankees 8-4, roughing up Darrell Rasner. Rasner produced his worst outing of the season yielding seven runs, nine hits, and one walk during his 3.2 innings of work. Rasner has been the Yankees most effective pitcher thus far, but didn’t have any of his pitches working effectively last night. Ross Ohlendorf relieved him pitching 1.1 innings surrendering one run and then LaTroy Hawkins, Kyle Farnsworth, and Edwar Ramirez assembled three scoreless innings allowing one walk and no hits. The Yankees squandered many opportunities offensively and have been extremely inconsistent through-out the season. The Yankees are ranked third in the American League in batting average but second to last in batting average with runners in scoring position, and must improve hitting in these situations to become consistent. The Yankees now sit at 33-33 and are .500 for the 23rd time this season which is a franchise record. If the Yankees want to prove they are more than a .500 team they must begin to gel on a daily basis. Tonight, the struggling southpaw Andy Pettitte looks to regain his form vs. Joe Blanton and put the Yankees back over .500.
The one bright spot from last nights game was Jason Giambi’s bat which remains red hot. Giambi blasted his 15th home-run vs. his former team.
Video clip of Jason Giambi’s home-run curtesy of MLB.com:
