Yankees 2, Athletics 3: Offense takes 17 of 18 innings off

Brett Gardner doubled on the first pitch of the game and Robinson Cano drove him in on a two-run homer to put the Yankees up 2-0 in the first inning. That was approximately six hours ago. Since that time, the Yankees offense proved itself to be as totally inept as we all feared. They had their chances, particularly in extra innings. The middle of the lineup left a large army on base, and the fantastic bullpen work couldn't continue indefinitely. The game ended after Mariano Rivera came on in relief of Preston Claiborne and allowed a bloop single and issued an intentional walk to load the bases before another soft hit scored Claiborne's runner. Game over. Swept.

In eight innings of work, Hiroki Kuroda was fantastic in all but one of them. Were it not for Chris Stewart using his empty glove to tag a runner at the plate with the ball in his other hand, Kuroda would have likely left the game with a lead and the Yankees may have been able to salvage this game before it carried on for more than five and a half hours. Adam Warren came on and pitched six scoreless relief innings to give the offense chance after chance to not find new ways to leave the bases loaded or runners in scoring position. The offense failed to take him up on his offer.

Perhaps their best chance to score came in the 11th inning with bases loaded and one out. Travis Hafner and Kevin Youkilis both had a chance to drive in at least one run, and they both struck out. It was a game of horrors for the quartet of Hafner, Youkilis, Mark Teixeira, and Vernon Wells. They combined to go 0-28 with 12 strikeouts. There are no words for that.

If there is a bright spot in this game, it's that Gardner and Cano hit very well. Those two can't do it on their own, unfortunately, but it's nice to see that the entire lineup isn't completely lifeless. With no replacements in sight for those who do appear to be flat-lining, the Yankees have to consider making a move internally. It might not be pretty and it might not be a long term solution, but seeing the offense continue to sputter and waste sparkling pitching performances should bring about some kind of change somewhere.

For the sake of my sanity, I cannot spare anymore words about this game. Shake it off and try to take advantage of the scuffling Angels in Anaheim tomorrow. This team could use an infusion of something good offensively, and until they get it, it doesn't seem like the games will be any easier to watch.

Box score if you dare.