Quality vs.?

The wheels fell off early for Andy Pettitte on Sunday as he allowed 8 runs in just 1.2 innings. The score was 8-0 after 2 innings and that was essentially it for the reeling Yankees.

They were able to squeeze 5 runs out of MLB ERA leader Dan Haren, which was 2 more than his previous high of 3 runs allowed in one game. However, it was too little too late as Pettitte had long since ruined the Yankees chances, fulfilling many baseball writers prophecy that Pettitte would start to struggle. Yes, its only 1 start but it is not a good omen for the Yankees that their most dependable starter of the season got rocked for 8 runs by a fairly mediocre offense.

The Yankees are quite lucky that the Blue Jays and the Red Sox had tough series themselves over the weekend, limiting the damage the Yankees losing run has done.

It wasn’t the game that that Athletics wanted either as their pitcher, Dan Haren was nowhere near his normal standards, allowing the 5 Yankee runs to cross. The bright spot for both teams came from their respective bullpens. Santiago Casilla continued his solid play for the A’s going 2 innings of scoreless baseball, lowering his ERA to 0.51 in 17.2 innings. Meanwhile, Ron Villone was solid as he relieved for Pettitte and proceeded to do everything he could to keep his team in it. Struggling Scott Proctor also put up a good effort so nice work by both men.

1 Hitter

This just in; the return of the Rocket has not revitalized the New York Yankees, nor has any other individual’s presence on their roster. Heck, the likely AL MVP is on the team and they are still flailing.

The Oakland Athletics led by Chad Gaudin and Rich Harden shut them down on Saturday allowing only 1 hit for the entire game. The A’s, meanwhile, hammered Kei Igawa and the rest of the Yanks pitching staff for 7 runs, easily tying the series at one game a piece.

Chad Gaudin has been sensational all year, keeping up with the ERA leaders throughout the season and posting quality start after quality start. He has had some tougher outings as of late but against a tough lineup like the Yankees, this was encouraging for Gaudin, and at only $400,000 he’s quite the bargain. Speaking of encouraging, if Rich Harden can translate his current stuff into starting form for the second half, this A’s team could be deadly on the mound. Who knows, maybe he should stay at the back end of the bullpen?

And finally, in case you were unaware, Scott Proctor is terrible. Especially over the past week. In the past 4 games, Proctor has ponied up a 12.56 ERA since June 22 in 4 games going 0-2, allowing 10 hits and 3 walks, while giving up 6 runs and striking out no one. Now that, is a recipe for success.