On a hot, humid night, the Yankees couldn't come up with a big hit and the Angels scored often and quickly to take another game from us. Al Leiter was shaky early on but settled down nicely to keep the Yankees in the game.
The big bats couldn't come through with runners in scoring position and as usual, the Angels always drive the runner in. The play great defense, pitch well and bat over .300 with RISP. That was the ball game in a nutshell.
*Top of the fourth: Trailing 5-1 and two on and no outs, A-Rod struck out. After Matsui drove in a run, Giambi struck out and Posada grounded out to end the inning.
*Top of the fifth: Cano on third and two outs, Sheffield grounds out to third to end the threat.
*Top of the sixth with the Yanks trailing by two, A-Rod opened with a hit and after Matsui worked the count to 3-0 before he popped up to take us out of the inning. We need runners on desperately and Joe gives him the green light. Another bad decision.
*Top of the seventh: With runners on first and third and one out, Cano pops up to first on a 2-0 pitch and Sheffield lines to center that ends another threat.
*Top of the fifth: Cano on third and two outs, Sheffield grounds out to third to end the threat.
*Top of the sixth with the Yanks trailing by two, A-Rod opened with a hit and after Matsui worked the count to 3-0 before he popped up to take us out of the inning. We need runners on desperately and Joe gives him the green light. Another bad decision.
*Top of the seventh: With runners on first and third and one out, Cano pops up to first on a 2-0 pitch and Sheffield lines to center that ends another threat.
We had a chance to pick up ground on the Red Sox who lost 8-4 to Chicago. The next two games will make or break this road trip. Our big guns out of the pen are rested and can go both games. Anaheim has used Donnely, Shields, and K-Rod both nights so we have an advantage there.
Here's the boxscore
Notes: Carl Pavano threw 45 pitches during a three-inning simulated game in his second session against hitters since being sidelined last month by right shoulder tendinitis. He is being pointed toward a start against the Angels on July 30.