Yankees Perpetual Puzzle

The feel good bubble, of the Yankees' nine game winning streak, burst at the Stadium Friday night. The World Champion Phillies pounded 14 hits against A.J Burnett and Chien-Ming Wang in route to a 7-3 victory.

The Yanks' perpetual pitching puzzle is anything but solved. Coach Dave Eiland appears overmatched. Here's today's list of head-scratching items: 1) Hired gun A.J. Burnett comes as advertised--an enigma. Eye-popping stuff translates to lackluster results--2-2, 5.28 ERA. 2) Chien-Ming Wang has transitioned from consistent 19 game winner to bullpen mop-up-man--ERA 25.00 3) Phil Hughes' most viable stat is his age. 4) $12 million bridge extension Damaso Marte crashed and burned--again. 5) Brian Bruney is the latest to list mystery ailment on his dubious resume. 6) Ramirez and Albadejo reverted to career minor league form.

The beat goes on. The list of questions grows while production based answers are nowhere in sight. The standings suggest contention but porous pitching won't get it done. The more things change; the more they stay the same.

PHOTO/NEWSDAY