Yanks Suffer Major Letdown Against Orioles

It could've been because they didn't get home until 4 am or because they went from squaring off against their arch rival to playing the worst team in the division, but no matter what the reason was, the bottom line is that New York Yankees turned in one of their worst performances of the year Monday night in a 13-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Mike Mussina had his poorest start since Apr. 17, the bullpen gave up nearly half as many runs as it had in the previous 25 games combined, and the offense didn't do anything until the seventh inning.

The bad night began before the game even started, when the Yankees learned that catcher Jorge Posada would undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. 

It's not a major loss for the team because backup Jose Molina is a far better defensive catcher and the addition of Xavier Nady's bat softens the blow the Bombers will take offensively.

The only good news on the night was that the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox also lost so the Yanks didn't lose any ground.

Here are the grades from last night's 13-4 loss to the Birds.

Joe Girardi, Manager: (C-) There really wasn't a whole lot Girardi could do, but I thought the Yankees would've had a better chance to hold the Orioles at six runs if he brought in Edwar Ramirez instead of David Robertson to start the sixth.

I also would like the skipper to put on more steals, hit and runs, and bunts when Jeter is up with nobody out and a runner on first or first and second because the Captain is grounding into a ton of double plays this year.

Johnny Damon, DH: (A+) Pretty much the only hitter who showed up for the Yanks.  Damon went 2-5 with a three-run homer.

Derek Jeter, SS: (B+) Jeter went 1-3 and made a nice relay throw home to retire Brian Roberts early on, but he grounded into another double play and I'd really like to see him lay down a few more bunts.

Bobby Abreu, RF: (B) Abreu was 0-1 with two walks.  In right field, he misplayed one ball off the wall but made a strong throw to third on a separate occasion.

Alex Rodriguez, 3B: (F) A-Rod was 0-3 with a strikeout.

Jason Giambi, 1B: (F) So when does the moustache get shaved off?  Giambi went 0-3 with two Ks and left three runners on Monday, dropping his average to .249.  He's two for his last 16.

Robinson Cano, 2B: (C) Cano doubled and struck out in four at bats.

Xavier Nady, LF: (A) Nady picked up his first hit, home run and outfield assist in pinstripes.

Melky Cabrera, CF: (C) Melky went 1-4 with a run scored and hopefully didn't hurt himself too badly when he landed on his glove diving for a ball late in the game.

Jose Molina, C: (A) Molina was 1-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored.

Wilson Betemit, SS: (B) Betemit entered for Jeter and went 1-2.

Richie Sexson, 1B: (B) Like Betemit, Sexson came in when this game got out of reach and went 1-2.

Chad Moeller, 3B: (INC) Who knew Moeller could play third base?  He went 0-1.

Justin Christian, RF: (INC) Christian replaced Abreu in right and went 0-2.

Mike Mussina, SP: (F) The Moose gave up six runs on eight hits and lasted just five innings.  It was his first bad start in a long while, but it's another reason why adding another starter like Jarrod Washburn would really help the Yankees out.

David Robertson, RP: (F) Robertson's ERA went from 1.46 to 4.97 after he surrendered five runs in just a third of an inning.

Edwar Ramirez, RP: (A) He retired both batters he faced.

Damaso Marte, RP: (A-) The ex-Pirate must've felt right at home pitching with an 11-0 deficit.  He struck out two and gave up one hit in the seventh.

Kyle Farnsworth, RP: (F) I actually laughed out loud when YES broadcaster Paul O'Neill called Farnsworth "one of the best relievers in the league" during the game.  A little too much time on the golf course for Paulie.

Jose Veras, RP: (B-) Veras gave up two hits but struck out two and didn't allow a run in the ninth.

Yankees Overall Grade: (D-) New York has to win both of the remaining two games in this series because you can't lose a set to a last place team in late July if you want to make the playoffs.

Jordan Schwartz is Bleacher Report's Yankees Community Leader. His book "Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man" is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and authorhouse.com.