WHY IT'S A DAMN SHAME

“I made good pitches, The balls found places.” --Mariano Rivera

There is no doubt that this road trip is important. So when the Yankees took an early lead in last night's game against a not too sharp King Felix, it was clear to me that the Yankees were taking it very seriously. Even when Ivan Nova ran into some trouble in the fourth and the Yankees lost their lead and needed to climb back, they did. But what do you do when your closer comes in to close the door in a visiting park and blows the lead? Nothing, when that happens, it's game over.

The Yankees lost 2 in a row last night and this time it was because of Mariano Rivera. Now I'm not going to sit here and tell you I know how to manage a bullpen, I'm not sure I can, but I do understand what a closer is. A closer closes games. 1-0 or 3-1, even 4-3... the options are unlimited. Strangely, Joe Girardi is in this unusual tie game "closing" frenzy. That's right, bringing in a closer in a tie game. I understand the mentality...you're being the closer in, you idea is to shut down the competition and then your team will come back in the next half inning. One problem with this formula, while it may work wonferfully at home, it doesn't work too well in an away ballpark, especially if you don't have last licks.

Mariano Rivera entered the game in the 12th and while the bullpen was terrfic all night, he wasn't. Rivera gave up the winning run and the Mariners’ 5-4 won. This time, it was Adam Kennedy who's playing like he did in his Anaheim Angel days. It was a hit on a bases-loaded blooper which put the Mariners ahead for good.(photo: AP)
So, just out of curiousity, Not that I doubt Mo, but just asking; If we have our young stud Lance Pendtleton on the bullpen bench, whose assigned job is long man, Why wouldn't you give him a shot? He's a long man and he can pitch multiple innings. In my scenerio, hopefully the Yankees build a lead in the top of the 13th and then Mo can close the door in the bottom of the 13th. Why bring him in in a tie. Again, I am NOT suggesting Mo ISN'T our guy, I'm just asking why in a tie game and why not use Pendtleton in that spot? I love this kid and just wrote about him in WHY PENDLETON IS OUR GOLDEN BOY. I think he could have handled it, but it is what it is and now the Yankees are down 2 games to none in this West Coast Series that was supposed to be important. But what do I know, I'm just a blogger.

This was what Girardi said about not bringing in Lance. Apparently I'm not the only one asking: “If you go to Lance and you take the lead and they tie it up, I’ve got nobody else, So you’ve got to have somebody to back up Mo. You just can’t leave Mo being the last pitcher out there.”

Right, so if you put a long man in, and he lasts 5 innings and holds the Mariners, a none good hitting team, the Yankees would have several chances to take the lead, then Mo can close the door. That's my thinking at least. Pendleton is our long man, Mo is not. That statement by Girardi sounds like he doesn't trust Mo, doesn't it? It really doesn't matter at this point though. We can't beat ourselves up over it. The game is over and the Yankees lost.(photo: AP)
A few highlights though. Robinson Cano started off the runs with a solo homer in the first inning and in the 3rd, Tex cranked out a 2 run home run. His 15th and he's been on fire lately.

Our Captain and leader, Derek Jeter was on base a lot this game. 3 times and that shows you the importance of his winning mentality. His run scored and knotted the game at 4 when Granderson knocked him home on a triple. Again... Bravo Grandy, Bravo.

The rest of the bullpen was awesome last night. David Robertson is a bad bad man. The guy is truly becoming a dominant leader on the mound. He goes out there balls out and shuts down the competition. You have to tip your hat to him. Who's Soriano anyway... who needs him? Overall, Hector Noesi, D-Rob, Joba, Logan and Luis Ayala kept the Mariners scoreless and they looked amazing.

One more thing, on the interruptions on the field last night. There were at least 4 people who ran out on the field holding up the games and at least one was a streaker. Ken Singleton and David Cone did a great job trying to explain to the audience the reason why the broadcasts don't show the people running out onto the field saying it was because it will just encourage others to do it. I say just show it all. When games are intense, break it up with alittle humor. We could all use a laugh especially last night.

Final Score: Mariners 5 - Yankees 4.

We deserately need a win today. CC Monster is on the mound. Let's at least leave Seattle with a win and turn this ship around. OK?