Yanks drop first series; I’m losing patience in Vazquez

The Yankees had won all five series prior to this weekend’s clash with the Angels, a team they took two of three from a week earlier. The Yankees called on Javier Vazquez for Sunday’s rubber game to lock up another series, but the wheels came loose early and the Angels won 8-4.

Quick ‘Cap:
The Yankees trailed 5-4 in the seventh with two on and two out for Kendry Morales. On a 3-0 count, Damaso Marte laid a fastball right down Broadway and Morales didn’t miss it, giving the Halos three more insurance runs they wouldn’t need.

New York led 3-0 after two on Jorge Posada’s two-run shot and Derek Jeter’s RBI groundout. Vazquez gave one back in the third, and then four more in the fourth before departing with two out.

Boone Logan and Alfredo Aceves kept it close for the Yankees, but the game was lost in the seventh. Yankees-Angels box score.

Thoughts:
Vazquez ends his April with a 1-3 record and a 9.00 ERA. At what point do you pull the plug? He’s making $11.5 million this year, so it’s not really a realistic choice. But who knows? Maybe we find out he’s trying to pitch through injuries again and he lands on the DL. I’m starting to think that could be the case.

On the other hand, keep in mind three of his four starts this year have come against the Angels or Rays. The fourth was against the Athletics, and he won.

Line of the Night:
Morales: 3-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R. He went 7-for-10 this series and is 11-for-21 in the season series.

Up Next:
The Yankees have an off day on Monday before starting a three-game series with the Orioles on Tuesday. Expect a full series preview, as usual.