Girardi Stung by Intentional Walk

Mike Mussina was not so thrilled with the call.

Intentionally walk the lead off man to get at the guy hitting who's actually hitting better? Yeah, right Joe. How'd that one work out for you?

Mussina pitched a reasonable game, giving up 4 runs over 8 innings, but the story of the night was Edinson Volquez, who was practically unhittable.

Billy Traber was back in action and looked good in a garbage inning at the end of the game.

Hideki Matsui was back in action and went 2 for 4 and Robbie Cano went 2 for 3, but had a fielding error to make up for it.

I'm not going to place all of the blame for this one on Girardi's shoulder, his call certainly took away most of the Bombers' chances. Mussina could have pitched better, Damon and Cano could have fielded better and the most of the team could have hit better.

With the Cardinals beating Boston, the Yankees don't lose ground in the division race. The loss stinks, but boy that winning streak was fun while it lasted.

In Thursday's game, Joba Chamberlain lasted 5.2 innings and used 100 pitches against the Padres. 4 hits and 1 run is pretty decent, but eventually you'd like to see Joba becoming a bit more efficient with his pitches and getting that pitch count down. Striking out 9 batters is nothing to shake a stick at and overall, Yankee fans have to love what they see in Joba.

Veras and Farnsworth were sharp and Rivera shut down the final 3 batters.