Game 36 Wrap-Up: MIL 6 NYY 5 (UPDATED)

(Courtesy of the AP)

This was a game the Yankees could have and should have won about 4 different times and didn't.  David Phelps pitched like David Phelps, the offense had a quick early burst and then disappeared for most of the time, Derek Jeter continued to look older than death and not much else, and Joe may or may not have lost the game for his team in the bottom of the 9th with a questionable bullpen decision.

It was a fun weekend with family and friends but a frustrating weekend as a Yankee fan.  I'm completely exhausted and going to bed now so I can be up before the sun to drive the fam to the airport.  A full recap of this game will be coming tomorrow morning can be found after the jump.


Game Notes:

- The Yankees jumped all over Matt Garza in the top of the 1st, with 2 walks sandwiched between 2 doubles by Brett Gardner and Kelly Johnson in the first 5 batters of the game.  When the dust settled, Garza had thrown 40 pitches and the Yanks led 3-0.

- David Phelps successfully walked the tightrope in the first 2 innings, then got touched up for 2 in the 3rd after Garza led off with a double, Phelps plunked Carlos Gomez, and the Brewers scratched out 2 singles, 1 aided by more bad Derek Jeter defense at short.

- The Yanks put at least 1 runner on in each of the next 4 innings, but couldn't capitalize against Garza.  He had settled down after the horrid 1st and managed to get through 5 without further damage.

- Phelps did the same into the 6th and left after putting the first 2 runners on.  Joe went with Matt Thornton, Ron Roenicke countered with Jonathan Lucroy, who hit an RBI single to tie the game.  Dellin Betances couldn't stop the bleeding either and it was 5-3 Milwaukee after 6.

- Once again, the lineup clawed its way back into the game.  Yangervis Solarte singled in Mark Teixeira in the 7th and with 2 outs and 2 strikes against him in the top of the 9th, Teix crushed a home run to right off K-Rod to tie the game.

- Unfortunately, Joe played it safe in the 9th, sticking with Adam Warren instead of going to D-Rob and it cost his team a chance to win.  Warren gave up a double to Rickie Weeks down the right field line and a single through the left side hole to former Yankee Mark Reynolds with 2 outs to give the Crew the walk-off win.

F*ck Yeahs:

- Teix: 2-4, 1 HR, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 LOB.  If it seems like he's on this list every day or every other day, it's because he is.

- Solarte: 2-2, 2 RBI, 1 SF, 1 BB.  Had himself a nice little weekend and continues to produce 6 weeks into the season.

Oh Nos:

- Phelps: 5 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K.  You can't put that many guys on base in 5 innings and expect to win.  I think it's safe to say that this is who Phelps is now as a starter.  A guy who doesn't have the stuff to work through an order multiple times and doesn't have the command to get away with having average stuff.  If half the rotation wasn't on the DL, he would be better suited going back to the bullpen.

- Joe: Not really sure what he was thinking with his bullpen yesterday.  He went to the lefty Thornton when Roenicke was obviously going to go with a righty.  Should have just went straight to Betances and not risked putting more guys on base.  Then he left Warren in in a tie game while D-Rob rotted away in the 'pen.  No offense to Warren, but he's maybe the 3rd-4th best reliever out there.  You can't lose on the road with your 3rd best reliever on the mound when your best is ready to go.

Next Up:

The Yankees come back home to start their 4-game Subway Series with the Mets this week.  Game one is tonight with Hiroki Kuroda and Bartolo Colon scheduled to start.