New York Yankees Still Look Impressive in Tough Loss vs. Baltimore Orioles

A close loss is always more tough than a blowout. I know that being beaten 13-0 is demoralizing, sure, but a player can always say that the team was having an off night and that no one can win 182 games. But there is something about an extra-innings loss by one run that really sticks with a player; something that lets them know that they could have done this better or not done that.

That is precisely what happened with the Yankees tonight in the Bronx. They came so close and yet they couldn't manage to finish it off. Obviously they had a good reason—they were EXHAUSTED! The previous game had ended less than 11 hours before hand and the Yanks were already back at it.

However, this argument barely holds up because their opponents were working on the same time schedule too. And you could tell if you watched the game; the teams looked sloppy on defense, but for six hours of sleep I was still impressed.

For one, the offense looked good, and even Alex Rodriguez had a good game (how long has it been since somebody typed that?) Per usual, Jesus Montero was a beast. I mean seriously! Montero has been put in the lineup for what, five or six games? He's playing better than some of the most seasoned and respected veterans in the game today!

I know this will sound odd, but even A.J. Burnett impressed me, albeit a small amount. In six innings he gave up four runs, but struck out seven and only walked four. Overall, I think it was a good outing.

So yes, the Yankees lost, just like the other 53 games this season that have had the same outcome. But at the end of the day, the Yankees played a very solid game of baseball, and they continue to impress me more and more as the season continues. I hope that they keep playing like they are.