Failure To Launch: Rocket Leaves With Pain
What a difference one weekend makes. Last Thursday, the New York Yankees completed a [sweep of the Boston Red Sox], appeared primed to make a charge at the AL East title and seemed to destined to run away with the Wild Card race. Fast forward four days, however, and the Bronx Bombers are reeling faster than a first-time fisherman with a bite.
The Yankees lost their third contest in four days yesterday afternoon, [falling to the Seattle Mariners 7-1] in the first game of a pivotal series in the Wild Card chase. Ichiro Suzuki had three hits and home run for Seattle to propel the Mariners [within one game](http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/standings) of New York in the standings, and New York fell seven games behind Boston in the divisional race. Even more alarming, Roger Clemens (pictured) left the game with [elbow pain](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/04/sports/baseball/04yankees.html?ref=sports) after surrendering five runs and eight hits in just four innings. Clemens, 45, immediately exited Yankee Stadium to have an MRI, but regardless of the results, Clemens will miss his next start and could be out much longer.
The Yankees lineup managed just six singles against Seattle starter Felix Hernandez, continuing their recent offensive struggles that began against Tampa Bay this weekend. Rodriguez went 2-for-4 and drove in his 130th RBI for New York, but it wasnt enough. The way things are going, he might have to get a hit in every plate appearance the rest of the season to get the Yankees into the playoffs.
Photo courtesy of [pboomerx on Flickr ]