Reason #2,345,432 why pitcher wins is a dumb stat

AJ was absolutely filthy tonight, but was dealt a loss because the offense was non-existent. He threw 7 2/3 innings and gave up a run on five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk (his last batter). He sat down 10 of the first 12 batters to start the game and after giving up a run in the fourth retired nine in a row. AJ threw 112 pitches with 72 going for strikes.

Good AJ was indeed in the building tonight, it’s a shame the offense couldn’t get him a win.

As for the offense, seven of the first 15 batters reached — including a bases-loaded situation with no outs in the first and a first-and-second situation with no outs in the second — but, obviously, no one scored. The team finished 0-for-7 with RISP and left eight men on base. Plus, two of the final 21 batters reached base (one walk, one hit).

As a matter of fact, the Cleveland starter, Carlos Carrasco, was at 56 pitches with one out in the third but after a Swisher double play to end the inning he retired the next eight batters on 19 pitches.

To add injury to insult, Jeter left the game after the fifth inning with a sore right calf. He was sent for an MRI and Girardi said his gut feeling is Jeet won’t play tomorrow. Update: the MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain of the calf. The next step will be decided tomorrow. Also, Russell Martin was scratched an hour before first pitch with lower back stiffness. Cervelli started in his place and struck out three times.

At least they won three of four from them. I’ll take it, I guess.

CC will go against Alexi Ogando tomorrow at 7:05 in the opener of a three-game set with the Rangers.

Other injury updates:

• Eric Chavez (remember him?) still hasn’t done any running but is hitting in the cages.
• Pedro Feliciano and Damaso Marte are playing catch and Soriano might start doing the same soon.
• Phil Hughes will make his first minor league start on Tuesday for the Gulf Coast League Yankees.
• Girardi hasn’t announced who will start in place of Cy Colon on Thursday, but the likely candidate is Hector Noesi. Girardi said he’d announce that on Wednesday.

LET’S GO YANKS!!!