Recapping Javier Vazquez' 2004 Season

Javier Vazquez has played one season in pinstripes, 2004. Now that he is a Yankee again, let's look back at the 2004 season for Vazquez, month-by-month.

April: Vazquez' first game in pinstripes was April 8th vs. the Chicago White Sox. Vazquez pitched eight innings, gave up three hits, and one earned run in a Yankees 3-1 win. In his next start Vazquez made his Rivalry Debut. Vazquez lost to the Red Sox 6-2 at Fenway, after giving up four runs in the first. Following the loss, Vazquez pitched a solid game vs. Boston in a 2-0 loss. Vazquez gave up two runs in six innings and struck out eight. To finish the month Vazquez pitched a two-hitter against the Royals. Vazquez would finish his first month in pinstripes at 3-2 with a 2.55 ERA.

May: May was a rocky month for Javy. In his first May appearance Vazquez gave up seven runs in 5.1 IP vs. Oakland. Following that, Vazquez gave up five runs to the Angels in an 11-2 loss. Vazquez would pitch seven shutout innings vs. the Angels in his next star. Back to back six inning appearances with three and four earned runs earned Vazquez his first consecutive wins as a Yankee. Vazquez would finish May at 5-4 with a 3.88 ERA.

June: Inter-league play helped lower Vazquez' ERA, as Vazquez pitched four consecutive starts of two or less earned runs. Following that streak, Vazquez got back-to-back wins vs. the Orioles and Red Sox, leaving his record at 9-5 and his ERA at 3.42.

July: Vazquez continued to win games for the Yankees, but also raised his ERA. Vazquez got a no-decision in his first Subway Series match-up, pitching five innings and giving up three earned runs in a Yankees loss. Vazquez raised his ERA up to 4.16 and his record up to 12-6.

August: Very inconsistent month for Vazquez. After pitching a solid game to start the month, Vazquez struggled. To round out the month Vazquez helped the Yankees lose to the Indians 22-0. Vazquez would end the month at 13-8 with a 4.62 ERA.

September: Vazquez' arm was probably worn out by now, which would be one explanation for this terrible month. Vazquez pitched horribly, with the exception of an eight-inning gem vs. the Royals. The final seasons totals were at 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA.

October: The Yankees would win both of Vazquez' first two postseason appearances. The main thing Yankees remember about Vazquez, however, is his third appearance. Vazquez gave up a huge grand slam to Johnny Damon in a Yankees loss to the Red Sox, 10-3. This lost clinched an unbelievable comeback for the Red Sox that Yankees fans partially (unfairly) blame Vazquez for. Vazquez' postseason numbers tallied in at 1-0 with a 9.53 ERA.