Yankees Lose 5th Straight - Jeter Leaves Game

The Yankees started the game thinking things were about to turn around. Wang was back on the hill, Matsui was back in left field and of course, they were playing Tampa Bay. It didn't take long to figure out things weren't going to be that easy. Jeter was plunked in the thigh by Kazmir's first pitch of the at-bat in the first inning, and would leave the game with a bruise when the Yankees took the field. Matsui did homer in his first at-bat, giving the Yankees an early lead, but it was went quickly down hill after that.

Wang ran into trouble in the fourth, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits. The Yankees would battle back against Kazmir, getting 2 in the seventh. But Wang couldn't hold the lead and Torre went to the bullpen - a very familiar site by the seventh inning this season. Viscaino got his man, but Myers didn't - Crawford tagged a 2-2 pitch for a go-ahead grand slam. Maybe that explains why Pettitte came out of the 'pen the other night?

The Yankees got one back in the eighth but it wouldn't be enough. They are now officially in sole possession of last place in the AL East, looking up at the likes of Tampa Bay and Baltimore. We all know - it's only April - but this is not looking good at all if you're a Yankee fan.

Rivera has blown his first two save opportunities - one of them he was brought in in the eighth inning, something Torre said would not be done this season. Pettitte has also pitched in relief twice this month between starts. Do you smell something? Smells like desperation. Should we even mention the fact that 20-year-old Phil Hughes is slated to pitch Thursday night against the Blue Jays? Desperate times indeed.