Yankees continue transition

The Yanks wobbled to a 4-3 win over the Oakland A's yesterday. The game marked the latest stop in the Bombers' transition from consistent winner to perplexing puzzle. Joba Chamberlain took the mound under scorching conditions at the Stadium and did his new job--six innings, one run, turn a 2-1 lead over to the remodeled pen--mission accomplished.

The bullpen has improved this season, Girardi has mixed and matched repertoire's while putting his players in a position to succeed. Bullpen stats can be misleading, as many appearances are with comfortable leads. As the pennant race heats up, the pressure mounts as preserving close margins is the true test. It didn't workout yesterday as Veras promptly allowed the tying run and the Great Rivera issued the go-ahead run. The pitching staff allowed three runs in 12 innings, a credible performance by any measure.

The irony of the Yankees' 2008 season is that while an evolving pitching staff was the center of attention; the vaunted offense was taken for granted. The computers said they would score six runs a game, there was no reason to think otherwise. Joe Torre's influence wasn't part of the programming. Yesterday's underwhelming performance is another example of how the mighty have fallen. Defying all odds: Cano, Betemit, Cabrera and Gardner produced 10 hits from the bottom of the order. Abreu, A-Rod, Giambi and Posada were 1 for 16. "The only thing we've been consistent at is inconsistency."--Jeter. 13 hits, 11 walks and one vital HBP produced four runs in 12 innings. Go figure.

The good news is that hope is never lost in these mediocrity mired times. An ugly afternoon in the Bronx was salvaged when Jose Molina went to his Ron Hunt playbook and stuck his knee into a pitch with the bases loaded. An appropriate way to end a successful pratfall.

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