Yanks Crash & Burn as They Return To Form of 2016

The Yankee SST of the past 6 games sputtered, ran out of fuel, and splattered itself all over the 405 last night.

It reminded me of 2016.

Each player waited for one of the big dogs to go deep, and redeem them from shaky play in the field, a looming pitching disaster, and an inability to score more than two runs.

You could see it coming.

Last season, it was a guarantee.

We scratch out a run, maybe two, on combinations of walks and singles  But in the big moments, nothing happens.  No contact is made with the ball with runs in scoring position.  No one thinks of bunting.  Runners are not advanced into ( or from ) scoring position.

Headley returned to form by refusing to do what got him off to the best start of his career;  to hit, or threaten to hit, the opposite way.  Instead, he just bangs into the shift, where his scorcher is casually fielded in short fight field, and he is thrown out.

When we led 1-0, and when we led 2-1, it was obvious to veteran Yankee watchers that this
was a , " two run limit " game.  Evidence took the form of our "Biggest Dog" watching three straight fastballs crease the fat part of the plate. His bat never left his shoulder. I even started to wish Jacoby was back, if only to provide one day's rest to somebody in our outfield.

  It has been a long slog, and fatigue is beginning to set in.

Once the game was tied, I turned it off.  I don't like to watch the Yankees lose., particularly when it is predictable.  When they are impotent.  When they don't even attempt to create anything.  Just everyone swinging for the fences and coming up with air.

Add to that;  we lost a key starter.

So know this:  this team will not win if we don't hit homers.  We cannot win games with two runs, scratched out over 5 innings.

The difference, so far, in 2017, is that the Big Dogs have been running.

Not last night.

Aaron was asleep,  Carter looked like Jesus Montero, and Holliday was on holiday.

We have returned to planet earth.