Yankees-Royals: Offense Hits New Low

The Yankees don't score runs anymore. 

Facing a pitcher they banged around for eight runs in just 3.2 innings over two appearances at the end of last season, New York went scoreless in eight frames against Zack Greinke, Wednesday night.

They couldn't plate any runners against two relievers in the ninth either.

But once again, the offensive ineptitude wasn't because of a lack of baserunners. Ten Yankees reached base thanks to seven hits and three walks, but none of those men came around to score. New York, once again, did not attempt a single steal and tried to bunt only once. 

After Jose Molina led off the top of the third in a scoreless game with a double, Melky Cabrera squared around on the first pitch, only to pop it foul. Did he try to sacrifice again?  Of course not. 

The bunt was quickly taken off and Cabrera popped out to second, failing to advance the runner to third with less than two outs. 

Why are batters only allowed one opportunity to bunt? Once you get into the mindset of a sacrifice, it's difficult to switch back to a hitter's mentality, especially when you're already behind in the count at 0-1. 

Leave the bunt on until he gets it right. That's just giving away runs.

Joe Girardi, Manager (F) 

From now on, Girardi will immediately be docked a letter grade in any game in which he calls on Kyle Farnsworth to pitch. Adding to the mistakes in this one were the failed bunt attempt and the creative, yet unnecessary, decision to start the bullpen out of fear that Kennedy's start would have been delayed or rained out, something that eventually never happened. 

And why did we start putting Matsui back in left? Damon is clearly a better fielder and Godzilla has shown this year that he hits better as the designated hitter.

Johnny Damon, DH (A-)

One-for-3 with a double, a walk and two strikeouts. Damon continues to move his batting average and on-base percentage up.

Robinson Cano, 2B (C-)

Cano coming around may be the most important part of getting this offense going. Well, that, and removing Giambi from the lineup.

Bobby Abreu, RF (F)

Zero-for-4.

Alex Rodriguez, 3B (A)

A-Rod quickly got over that four-strikeout performance with two hits, including a double.

Hideki Matsui, LF (D)

Matsui went 0-for-2 with two walks and looked awfully shaky in the field again.

Jason Giambi, 1B (F)

How can a team whose three, four and five hitters are all batting over .300 be averaging less than three runs a game? 

When the human rally killer bats sixth. 

Another 0-for-4 performance with four men left on base brings the Giamzero's batting average down to an awe-inspiring .056. If Giambi got one hit in his next 17 at-bats, his average would go up from where it is now! Once again, this year with Giambi, the Yankees are 2-5, without him, 2-0.

Jose Molina, C (C+)

1-for-4 with a double and a strikeout and he threw out two of three base stealers.

Melky Cabrera, CF (B-)

One-for-3 with a disastrous failed bunt attempt.

Alberto Gonzalez, SS (A)

Within 20 hours of being called up from the minor leagues, Gonzalez equaled Jason Giambi's season hit total.

Brian Bruney, SP (A)

Did the third best reliever on the team just become the third best starter as well?

Billy Traber, RP (B+)

Another scoreless inning for the lefty.

Kyle Farnsworth, RP (F)

Ian Kennedy, RP (D+)

Another bad outing for Kennedy, but it probably wasn't fair to get him mentally ready to start and then not bring him in until the sixth inning when the Yankees were already down 2-0.

Overall Yankees Grade (D)

Some of the pitching wasn't too bad, but the hitting continues to disappoint. The injuries are partly too blame, but not completely. 

A series loss to the Royals is inexcusable, but a sweep would be unspeakable.