Little Things Matter For the Yankees

Yes, the Yankee pitching has been poor the past two days. Young Phil Hughes had a mediocre start against the Angels on Monday while veteran Mike Mussina was pathetic Tuesday night as he did not get out of the second inning. Obviously pitching is a major factor in winning and losing games. However one play in each game reveals the difference between victory and defeat. Late in Monday's game with the score tied at six, a foul pop was hit and drifted near the end of the Angels dugout next to the photographers' well. All world Alex Rodriguez came over to the stands and became preoccupied with his own safety. He visibly reached for the railing that surrounded the photographers, and with that as his base, half heartedly reached for the very playable ball and let it drop right just outside his grasp. Of course no one wants to see A-Rod get injured but if he had given at least some of his attention to the ball, he could have gone around the railing and caught the ball against the front row of the stands. The Angels got a rally going because of the misplay and even though the Yankees got out of the inning, the momentum of the game had shifted. The Yankees seemed to be just hanging in there and the Angels went full speed ahead to win in the tenth inning. If the Yankees are going to claim a playoff spot they are going to have to give up their cautious spirit and go all out. It is worthy to note that on many occasions, Derek Jeter is just as quick as Rodriguez to get to foul balls.

Tuesday night's game was a real mess but an early turning point was Melky Cabrerra, the young center fielder, who called off veteran right fielder Bobby Abreu, and made a catch going away from the runners on first and second. By catching the ball on a dead run heading towards the first base side of the field, Cabrerra had no chance to get the ball back towards third base and keep the Angels from moving up. Of course, with the runners now on second and third, the next bbatter drove a ball into the outfield plating the now advanced runners and taking the Angels to an early lead. Here it was inexperience that doomed the New Yorkers. Devastating to Yankee fans, these two little plays show the brilliance and beauty of baseball. Just in life, it is the mundane execution of tasks that add up to accomplishment or failure.