Rivera, Yankees continue to falter in loss to Royals

Esteban German scampers home for the winning run as Rivera looks on

The New York Yankees continued to play like a bad team should, losing to the Kansas City Royals 4-3, thanks to the struggling Mariano Rivera. Rivera, arguably the best closer ever, isn’t as good in tie games, as he showed in the ninth inning of this pivotal game for the Yankees. After allowing a double and single with one out, he uncorked a wild pitch, scoring Esteban German from third. Andy Pettitte pitched seven good innings, striking out seven, but the Yankees couldn’t give him much run support, spoiling a game that was much needed for their playoff hopes.

The Yankees had a tremendous chance to at least tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, but all was for naught. Wilson Betemit singled to start the inning, and was lifted for a pinch runner, Justin Christian. Trying to get into scoring position, Christian was caught leaning by Royals closer Joakim Soria, who proceeded to pick him off on a throw to first base. That, and Johnny Damon’s groundout on the next pitch, unleashed a scattering of boos from disgruntled Yankee fans. The Yankees still had life though, as Derek Jeter singled, Bobby Abreu walked, and Alex Rodriguez singled to load the bases. You could hear the desperation, felt by the team and its fans, in the tone of YES Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay, who reiterated that the Yankees needed this win to salvage their season. Giambi couldn’t send his Kay, nor his team into celebration, weakly flying out to center field, sending the once glorious franchise to their seventh loss in 10 games.

The Yankees now stand 10 1/2 games behind in the division, thanks to the Rays win, giving them nearly no mathematical chance to overtake not only Tampa Bay, but the Red Sox, who also stand in front of New York. As if the deficit in their division wasn’t enough, they also face a tough hill to climb in the Wild Card, as they are presently seven games behind leading Boston for the playoff spot, presumably their only shot of making it into the postseason.

Manager Joe Girardi let his emotions once again detail how the Yankees have gone in recent weeks, lowering his head in disgust after Rivera’s wild pitch in the ninth. As frustrating as it might be, the manager’s demeanor has the inkling to rub off onto the players. Time and time again, Girardi has done this. It is something he may think is just, given the situation, but the media portrays him as soft, and the teams as hopeless.

Even though the Yankees have gained the reputation through the years to never be counted out, these are not those Yankees. They don’t drive runners in, they play the inexperienced, like Christian, when the game is on the line, and don’t play with much heart. Maybe the media is right, as the team showed in this game, they are hopeless.