The Yankees’ offense sputtered once again tonight, as they lost to the Kansas City Royals in the opening game of a three-game set from the Bronx. The Yankees still hold a 10-game lead over the second place Baltimore Orioles.
Starter Mark Hutton pitched well enough to win, going 5.1 innings and giving up three runs on six hits. The bullpen let the game get away, however, when Bob Wickman, Jim Mecir and Billy Brewer gave up a combined four runs.
For the Royals, rookie pitcher Jose Rosado tossed 6.2 innings of shutout ball, allowing six hits. The Yankees were unable to get anything going, often looking uninterested. “I don’t have the answers for this,” said Paul O’Neill. “He threw a good game for them. For some reason, I thought we were flat and didn’t play well tonight.” (via NY Times)
Their best chance to get to Rosado came in the second when Tino Martinez singled and moved to third on Ruben Sierra‘s single. Mariano Duncan grounded out, and then Martinez was easily nabbed at home on a Gerald Williams slow roller to third. Derek Jeter struck out, and the Yankees rally was cut short. The 21-year old Rosado was on his way towards his first major league win, and the Yankees were left stunned.
“I’m certainly not going to let this go,” Bernie Williams said. “I’m sure everyone will have him (Rosado) in their little book.” (via NY Times)
Jimmy Key gets the start tomorrow against Chris Haney.
Notes:
- After David Cone‘s shoulder is examined tonight, he will return to Tampa to continue his rehab from the surgery he had to remove an aneurysm back in May. Joe Torre said he hopes to have Cone back in September, but couldn’t guarantee anything.
- Pat Kelly will be activated from the DL in time for tomorrow’s game.
Box score and current stats
Batting AB R H RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG
Boggs 3B 4 0 1 0 1 1 .321 .396 .403
Girardi C 4 0 0 0 0 0 .302 .363 .374
ONeill RF 4 0 0 0 0 1 .309 .430 .457
B.Williams CF 3 0 0 0 1 0 .311 .395 .540
Martinez 1B 4 0 2 0 0 0 .292 .347 .460
Sierra DH 4 0 1 0 0 0 .261 .332 .411
Duncan 2B 4 0 1 0 0 0 .310 .328 .444
G.Williams LF 4 0 0 0 0 1 .296 .352 .481
Jeter SS 4 0 3 0 0 0 .292 .360 .404
Pitching IP H R ER BB SO ERA
Hutton L (0-2) 5.1 6 3 3 1 2 5.04
Wickman 1.1 3 1 1 2 0 3.86
Mecir 1.1 2 1 1 0 1 4.21
Brewer 0.2 2 2 2 3 1 12.27
Polley 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 5.06
