ANOTHER BROWN OUT
Angels Batter Brown for Seven Runs, Then Hang On For 8-6 Win




By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
July 24, 2005

When are the Yankees going to get it? Kevin Brown is a guaranteed loss every time he takes the mound. He doesn’t have it any more. He goes on the DL, comes off the DL, gets shelled by opposing hitters, and then goes back on the DL. Kevin Brown is a $15 million-per-year bust. The next time his balky back goes out the Yankees should just leave him on the disabled list. He’s a cancer in the clubhouse and he’s a cancer on the mound.

After staking Brown to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning Brown started off well in the bottom of the frame. Leadoff batter Chone Figgins singled, and after Brown struck out Darin Erstad he induced Vladimir Guerrero to hit into a double play ending the inning. That was the highlight of Kevin Brown’s evening.

In the second inning Garret Anderson doubled to start the inning. He went to third on a Steve Finley single, then home on Bengie Molina’s ground out. Brown got fly ball outs from Jeff DeVanon and Orlando Cabrera to end the Angel threat.

The Yankees gave Brown more breathing room in the top of the third when Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano hit back-to-back home runs off Angel starter Ervin Santana. After a Gary Sheffield infield single Santana set down Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi to end the inning.

The 3-1 Yankees’ lead didn’t last long as Brown walked both Adam Kennedy and Chone Figgins to start the bottom of the third inning. Darin Erstad flew out to left field bringing the always dangerous Vladimir Guerrero to the plate. The Vlad Man wasted no time as Brown threw a pitch in the same location Tom Gordon did Thursday night. It was knee high and over the center of the plate. The results were the same too. Guerrero deposited the ball over the centerfield fence to give the Angels a 4-3 never look back lead.

The Bombers failed to score in the top of the fourth inning, but the Angels didn’t. Taking up where they left off Anaheim went after Brown who gave up three more runs before finally closing the book on his night. Brown’s line for the evening was 3-1/3 innings pitched, seven earned runs and a game ERA of 20.32.

Alex Graman relieved Brown, but was ineffective as he allowed three runs to score (two charged to Brown) and was relieved by Felix Rodriguez. Rodriguez got Molina to ground out to Jeter to end the inning. However, the damage was done and the Angels enjoyed a commanding 8-3 lead.

The Yankees made the game close as they scored a run in the fifth inning and two more in the seventh. The middle relief did a good job in shutting down the Angels after the fourth inning. The Yankees actually out hit the Angels 12 to 11, but most of the output by New York was after two outs had been recorded. If your looking for any nuggets of good news it’s in the fact the middle relief (other than Graman) performed well and Jason Giambi hit another home run. That gives him three for the series and six in the last ten games. In fact, for the month of July, Giambi has a Ruthian OPS of 1.551 (SLG%=1.037 OBP=.507) and a .379 batting average. He has 11 home runs and 19 RBI. Alex Rodriguez continues to shine as well. Although he has cooled off some since the all-star break A-Rod is tied for the league lead in home runs (27), fifth in batting average (.317), fourth in RBI (78), and first in OPS (1.006).

However, pitching remains the key to any chance of success the Yankees might have for the rest of the season. No pitching, no playoffs. So far the only member of the entire staff that has been reliable is the closer. Unfortunately, for Yankees fans they might not see Mariano Rivera in Southern California this season. Not unless the pitching can hold down the opposition and keep a lead. The Angels will be trying as hard as they can to keep #42 in the bullpen. The brooms are out and ready to sweep the Yankees back to the Bronx. The only thing standing in the way is Mike Mussina. Hopefully, the Moose can salvage an otherwise disastrous series. We’ll all know the answer to that riddle soon.


PLAY BALL!



© 2005 Yankees Talk Shop @ ezboard.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story is prohibited without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop and it's affilitates