MLB: Joe Girardi, Mariano Rivera Blow it for Moose, Yanks

Anyone who tells you pitch counts matter is lying. It’s all about the innings.

The ninth inning is a mystical place that starting pitchers dare not enter, no matter how many pitches they’ve thrown or how successful they are at getting batters out. Or at least that’s what most Major League managers, closers, and their agents would have you believe.

Yankees skipper Joe Girardi didn’t let his starter Mike Mussina pitch the ninth inning Monday afternoon, despite the fact that the Moose (3.82 ERA and AL leading nine wins) had only surrendered two runs and seven base runners on just 89 pitches (65 strikes) in eight innings.

Instead, Mariano Rivera entered the game and for the second time in three days, gave up a leadoff tiebreaking home run. Unlike Saturday, however, New York couldn’t muster a comeback in the bottom of the ninth to mask Mo’s mistake.

If Mussina had thrown 89 pitches after seven innings, he most definitely would have been allowed to start the eighth because the eighth is a happy place where flowers grow and starters prance around like school children. 

But the ninth inning is a hellacious pit reserved for only those who get paid millions to retire just a few people maybe two or three times a week.

And don’t tell me the 94-degree heat made Mussina too tired to pitch the ninth.  He looked quite all right in the top of the eighth when he retired the Royals in order and then had plenty of time to rest in the bottom of the frame when the Yanks sent five men to the plate and Kansas City made a pitching change.

And what happens if Rivera gets through the ninth without surrendering a run? 

If the Yanks can’t score in the bottom of the ninth, is Mo allowed to pitch the tenth?  If not, a much weaker reliever like Ross Ohlendorf, LaTroy Hawkins, or, God forbid, Kyle Farnsworth, might be forced to enter the game in extras. 

Why not push back that torture an inning if possible?

I’m not saying Rivera isn’t the greatest one-inning pitcher of all time, nor am I saying that he’s not needed in late-inning situations to help the Yankees win. All I’m saying is that he’s not infallible and starters who are pitching well, with low pitch counts, should be allowed to finish what they started.

Here are the grades from the Yankees’ disappointing 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Monday.

Joe Girardi, Manager: (D+)

He had Johnny Damon steal, Melky Cabrera bunt…everything was going so well for Girardi until he took out Mussina. At least he didn’t bring in Ohlendorf or Edwar Ramirez, who he also had warming in the bullpen.

Johnny Damon, LF: (C)

Damon went 1-4 with a stolen base and a strikeout.

Derek Jeter, SS: (D-)

The Captain once again failed to move Damon over to third with less than two outs and therefore cost the Yankees a crucial run in the first inning.

Bobby Abreu, RF: (C+)

Abreu doubled and scored in four at bats.

Alex Rodriguez, 3B: (A+)

A-Rod’s two-run homer to left in the seventh was the Bombers’ only offense.

Hideki Matsui, DH: (F)

0-4.

Jason Giambi, 1B: (D-)

No moustache magic on this day. Giambi was 0-3 with a walk.

Robinson Cano, 2B: (C+)

Just 1-4 at the plate, but Cano made two outstanding plays in the field early on in this game.

Jose Molina, C: (F)

0-2 with a K before being pinch hit for in the eighth.

Melky Cabrera, CF: (D-)

A good sac bunt in the eighth was the only thing Melky had to show for an 0-3 day that included grounding out with the bases loaded to end the game. On that play, Cabrera slid feet first into the bag, something I will never understand. I don't know if he would've beaten the toss if he ran through the bag like you're supposed to, but he certainly would've had a better chance than sliding feet first. Even diving head first would've been a better option.

Wilson Betemit, PR: (INC)

Pinch ran for Giambi in the ninth.

Jorge Posada, PH: (A)

Singled for Molina in the eighth.

Chad Moeller, C: (B)

Pinch ran for Posada and then took over behind the plate in the ninth. Because he was the third catcher to enter the game for the Yanks, he was forced to bat for himself with runners on first and second and two outs in the ninth. Luckily for Girardi, Moeller was hit by a pitch and kept the rally going.

Mike Mussina, SP: (A)

For the first time in 14 starts this year, the Moose didn't get a decision, and that's too bad because he probably hasn't deserved one as much as on Monday.

Mariano Rivera, RP: (F)

Yankees Overall Grade: (C-)

You hate to lose a game when your starter pitches this well, especially to the Royals at home, and especially with a tough six game road trip coming up.