Perkins Pelts Punchless Yankees
The struggles for the New York Yankees continue, as the Bombers dropped their fourth straight game, this one to the Minnesota Twins, Monday night in Minnieapolis.
Glen Perkins dominated the Bombers for eight brilliant innings, surrendering only four hits, all of which were singles. The only opportunity the Yankees had to do anything against Perkins was in the first inning, with two out and Bobby Abreu and Alex Rodriguez on base, Xavier Nady lined out to right to end the threat. 
Other than that the Yankees offense did absolutely nothing. Perkins is now 9-3 on the year, and his ERA dropped to 4.07.
The Twins found ways to manufature runs from players you wouldn't expect. With one on and two out in the second inning, former Astro Adam Everett homered to left to give the Twins a quick 2-0 lead.
Sidney Ponson was great yet again for the Yankees going seven and two-thirds innings and surrendering only four runs on seven hits. Most nights this would be enough to win, especially with the offense of the Yankees, but it was not the case. After Ponson gave up the fourth run of the night and was removed by manager Joe Girardi, the hot headed pitcher slamed his hat and glove on the Yankee bench as he left.
Joe Nathan closed down the Yankees in an easy ninth inning, striking out the side.
The Yankees are now nine games behind the first place Rays, and could fall to five and a half behind Boston if they hold on in their game against the Chicago White Sox.
In past seasons, one would not count the Yankees out, becasue they are the Yankees. They are used to coming back from big deficits to win the division or wild card. They did it the last few seasons, when it appeared that the Bombers were dead; most memorably the did it in 1978, coming back from 14 games back in the final weeks of the year to win the division from the Red Sox.
But, this is a different season, and a different team. Injuries and age have plauged the Yankees all year long. This group of Yankees, particularly the Derek Jeter's, and Mariano Rivera's of the world are not used to falling apart in August and September. They are used to using August and September to come out of a big June or July hole. How will these Yankees react?
So far it is not so good. Giardi will be tested, because we all can suspect that if Joe Torre was still the manager the Yankees would find a way out of this. I don't know if the leadership is there to find the way out now.
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