New York Yankees Salvage Final Game against Baltimore Orioles

In the two bad losses to the Orioles Friday and Saturday, the New York Yankees' bats continued their hibernation and the young hurlers struggled again.

In the third game of the series, Andy Pettitte did what he's been doing his whole career in the Bronx—he acted as the stopper.

The Yanks entered the game with the highest starters' ERA after 19 games in franchise history, but Pettitte retired the first 14 batters he faced. The lineup spotted him two early runs as New York cruised to a 7-1 victory.

Here are the Yankees' grades for the weekend series in Baltimore.

Joe Girardi, Manager: (D+)

The crazy lineup Saturday with A-Rod as the DH, Posada at first, and Ensberg at third didn't work as the Yankees were shut out.

I understand that Bobby Abreu is 0-10 in his career against Brian Burres and that's why he didn't start. But the constant shuffling of the batting order isn't helping these slumping hitters get into a rhythm.

The Yankees have had 19 different lineups in their first 20 games and that might be one of the reasons they're batting just .265.

I also don't see why Pettitte needed to be pulled after only seven innings and 89 pitches Sunday.  He was throwing a four-hit shutout.  Taking him out forced the Yankees to use three more pitchers and made things scary until New York added three more runs in the top of the ninth.

The good news is that Girardi is finally bringing some of that aggressive base running we saw him execute with the Marlins.  New York attempted four steals in the series, successfully swiping three bags.

Johnny Damon, LF: (B+)

Damon sets the tone for this offense.  He was 1-7 in the two losses, but 2-4 in the win.

Derek Jeter, SS: (A-)

The Captain raised his average five points over the weekend, going 4-14 with three RBI.

Bobby Abreu, RF: (A-)

3-9 with a walk and a run scored.

Alex Rodriguez, DH/3B: (A-)

A-Rod left the game Sunday with a strained quad.  The Yankees can ill afford another injury to one of their superstars.

With the off day Monday, the reigning AL MVP may have enough time to recover without missing a start.

He was 3-10 with a walk, an RBI, and a run in the Orioles series.  But Rodriguez's throwing error on Friday opened the flood gates for Baltimore.

Hideki Matsui, DH/RF: (A-)

Godzilla continues to be the most consistent bat in the Yankees' lineup.  He went 3-9 with a walk and a run batted in.

Robinson Cano, 2B: (D)

We're nearing the end of April and Cano is still hitting .169.  He was 2-11 with a walk and a run this weekend.

Jason Giambi, 1B: (F)

With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the sixth, the Yankees had a chance to extend their 2-0 lead Sunday.

As the Human Rally Killer stepped in, I IMed my friend Craig four options for what Giambi would do: a) strike out looking; b) strike out swinging; c) ground into a double play; or d) have his head explode due to 'roids.

The answer was c.

Melky Cabrera, CF: (D-)

Not a good series for Cabrera who saw his average drop from around .320 to .281.

Chad Moeller, C: (A)

If you asked the question, "Who led the Yankees in runs scored this series?" the answer would be Chad Moeller.  Imagine how poorly New York would be doing if its third string catcher wasn't leading the team in hitting.

Morgan Ensberg, 3B: (D)

Ensberg went 1-3 as a starter Saturday and 0-2 as A-Rod's replacement Sunday.

Jose Molina, C: (F)

At .333, Molina has only the second best average on the team among backup catchers.

Jorge Posada, C: (D)

Posada is the third best hitting catcher on the team this year.

Phil Hughes, SP: (D+)

If A-Rod doesn't double clutch Adam Jones' slow roller in the sixth inning Friday, he might've been able to throw out Kevin Millar at the plate for the second out of the inning.

Instead, Rodriguez threw the ball away tossing it over to first, making it a 3-1 Baltimore lead.  Just like that, Hughes is out of the game and LaTroy Hawkins entered to allow all of Hughes' runs to score.

I don't think Phil pitched as poorly as his final line of 5.2 ip, 5 er might indicate. But he did surrender nine hits, which is way too much.

Ian Kennedy, SP: (F)

This is the reason Johan Santana and Joba Chamberlain aren't in the Yankees' rotation?

Andy Pettitte, SP: (A+)

Pettitte is gaining on Wang for team MVP.

LaTroy Hawkins, RP: (F)

Knew he couldn't keep that ERA under 9.00 for too long.

Edwar Ramirez, RP: (A)

Just another in a long line of relievers more talented than Farnsworth and Hawkins who will spend the majority of the year in the minor leagues.

Ross Ohlendorf, RP: (D-)

This is where I update you on the goings on with my friend Adam who went to school at Princeton with Ross.

Adam, a White Sox fan, will soon be providing you with a preview of the upcoming New York/Chicago series that I will include in my column along with a more factual preview from the perspective of a Yankees fan.

Billy Traber, RP: (B-)

Two base runners in an inning of work and half of his 24 pitches were out of the zone, but Traber didn't give up a run.  This is why relievers' earned run averages mean nothing.

Joba Chamberlain, RP: (D-)

A good outing on Saturday.  Not so much on Sunday when Joba gave up two hits and a run without recording an out.

Brian Bruney, RP: (B-)

Eight balls, four strikes, one hold.  This is why holds mean nothing.

Mariano Rivera, RP: (A)

Still hasn't given up a run this year, but he's participated in only 5.1 meaningful innings.  The Yankees have played about 180.

Overall Yankees' Grade: (C-)

Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching.