GAME 65 Yankees vs Nationals

YANKEES (37-27, Second Place AL East, 2 GB)
Damon LF
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Cabrera CF
Pena SS
Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-4, 14.34).

NATIONALS (16-46, Fifth Place in NL East, 20 GB)
Guzman SS
Johnson 1B
Zimmerman 3B
Dunn DH
Dukes RF
Patterson CF
Bard C
Harris LF
Hernandez 2B
Pitching: LHP John Lannan (3-5, 3.51).

TIME/TV: 7:05 p.m., YES

Good Luck Kid: Yesterday Chien-Ming Wang became a father as his wife gave birth to Justin Jesse Wang. In Taiwaneese culture, the birth of a child is meant to bring good luck. Maybe Wang's luck will change this season starting tonight, as he is pitching for a spot in the rotation right now.
1 Year and 2 Days Later: Chien-Ming Wang's last win was June 15, 2008. That day he hurt his foot causing him to miss the rest of the season, and has not been the same since. Wang is overdue for a win.
Speaking of Due: A-Rod is hitting .167 this month with 3 RBI in his last nine games. Somebody get his cousin on the phone now! (Just Kidding)
Coke Throwin' Smoke: In Phil Coke's last 5.2 IP he has given up 0 runs, 2 hits, and struck out 4. Yes I am as surprised as you are.
Jeter Injury Update: Derek Jeter had an MRI on his left ankle today and it came back negative. He is listed day-to-day.

UPDATE 7:17: Wang gets through the first inning with a double play. Still early, but it should be a good sign, he really battled with Zimmerman that at-bat. He probably walks that batter last week in Boston.

UPDATE 7:36: Wang's velocity is down and alot of his pitches have been up in the zone, but he is getting away with it so far. Lets see if he can improve his pitches.

UPDATE 7:46: Eli Manning is in the booth. Peyton is there and the rest of the Giants are there too. Although they are no where to be seen since batting practice. Odd.

UPDATE 7:49: Okay, there's some of the O-Line guys. I guess they still are here.

UPDATE 8:03: Wang was cruising up until Adam Dunn just hit a home run through my living room window in Jersey. It was a 3-0 count and he had the green light. Yanks need to get their offense going. That ball was crushed.

UPDATE 8:14: John Lannan has thrown 4 no hit innings against the team he grew up idolizing. I should have known the Yankees facing 3 consecutive young, relatively unknown pitchers would spell disaster. We saw it against Fernando Nieve the other day too. If only we could face Johan Santana more often...

UPDATE 8:24: Phil Hughes is warming up in the bullpen. Wang is through 4.1 and has first and third one out. It is one out short of his longest outing of the season so far.

UPDATE 8:25: If Melky doesn't dive you hold Guzman at third and Johnson at second. Instead it's a triple for Nick Johnson. Wang is at 80 pitches, he may be getting tired. 3-0 Nationals.

UPDATE 8:30: 5 innings for Wang. Wang went 5 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. It looks like he lives to see another day.

UPDATE 8:35: Robinson Cano ended Lannan's no-hitter and shutout all on one swing. Solo shot for Cano who has been red-hot of late.

UPDATE 8:51: Well, Jim and I are discussing the exact same things Kay and Flaherty have this inning. We really hit the nail on the head with our blog name. Might as well have us in the booth than those 2 guys. Then we would get to meet Eli Manning. :)

UPDATE 9:12: John Lannan is making getting through the Yankees lineup look easy. Even without Jeter they are are still a tough lineup. Maybe this guy likes pitching in New York he has a complete game against the Mets this year. Now, why take Hughes out after 2 innings?

UPDATE 9:22: Who is this guy? Phil Coke strikes out the side (Though he did walk a batter). Jim suggests he sold his soul to the devil to pitch well. Hey, wouldn't be the first Yankee to do that (Clemens).

UPDATE 9:26: Another 1-2-3 inning from Lannan. This Yankee team has got to be the most frustrating team to watch. They have 22 come-from-behind wins and tag a pitcher like Santana for 15 runs. Then they look hopeless against guys like Fernando Nieve and John Lannan. It's ridiculous.

UPDATE 9:42: Solo home run for Damon. Fly out by Swisher. Base hit by Tex. Lannan is out and Mike McDougal is in for the Nationals to face A-Rod. Gardner is pinch running.

UPDATE 9:54: 9 pitch at bat to Robbie Cano and he grounds into a game-ending double play. Yankees leave the tying run on third base. They should be ashamed of themselves for losing to the Nationals.