June 19, @ Rockies L (3-1) 35-33 9GB 4.5GB Wild Card

Josh friggin' Fogg? A classic example of the 2007 Yankees rose from the Rocky Mountains in this one as the mighty Josh Fogg and his microscopic 4.58 ERA managed to allow only 4 hits and 1 earned in 7 innings against the hottest team in baseball. Yet if you've followed the Yankees this season, it truly comes as no surprise. This current Rockies club isn't as bad as one might imagine. After all, they took 2 of 3 in Fenway last week. But for this lineup to get 4 hits over 7 innings? Unbelievable. What may be far more improbable was that the Yankees had the bags loaded in the 8th with LaTroy Hawkins on the mound; a man whom has done his very best to keep the rally-cap superstition alive. But Jorgie grounded out to second and left us all with our heads in our hands.

The Moose may get frustration directed his way today, but none of it will come from me. He gave the Yankees a quality start yesterday and they ended up losing in Colorado 3-1. IN COLORADO THEY LOST 3-1!! They should have had at least two 3-run innings in Colorado. I don't think the Moose's stuff is that bad yet, despite his velocity hanging around 86-87. The guy still works the plate as a good veteran should and a couple of stolen bases (again with the damn stolen bases) really made the difference. The homerun Moose gave up to Torrealba was ridiculous though and aside from the pair of runs he gave up prior to that, Moose knew that was his biggest mistake. Alex had a good spot with two on in the 3rd and Fogg hit him with a nice changeup on the outside corner, at least I believe it was a changeup. That moment and the Jorgie at bat in the 8th were the key moments of the game and they just couldn't get the big hit.

The shocker of the evening was Posada at first base of course. It was odd seeing him with no pads and a baseball cap instead of a catcher's mask, but he did a decent job. Later on Damon switched with him and needless to say the lineup was a pretty big mess. My feelings about the National League didn't change much after this one, I'll leave it at that. The Damon situation is slowly growing into a problem. He may go the rest of the week as a pinch-hitter because of his injuries, even though I'm certain that Melky's ability in center is keeping Damon down. The Daily News is reporting today about Torii Hunter liking the idea of playing center for the Yankees in the future and this is only the beginning. This summer will see Andruw Jones, Ichiro, and Hunter on the market and there will be plenty of teams biting. The Damon situation is going to be interesting because he hasn't looked very good this year, and with great centerfield talent like that available, the Yankees will have to make a huge decision. Jones is the youngest of the group, but is a Scott Boras guy and will command major dollars, and so will Ichiro. I've watched Hunter get hurt in recent years and I worry about his reckless abandon in center, which he uses because his speed isn't quite what it was. Ichiro is still a speed demon and his on-base is still fantastic, plus he has incredible range and a great arm; what an asset he would be. He turns 34 in October and I imagine he may have 2 or 3 years of good baseball left in him. A battle for center fielders between the Yankees and Red Sox is right around the corner.