Yanks Go Yard Recap: New York Yankees Offense Lacks Punch In Loss

The reason why the New York Yankees are in the position that they are in is a lack of offense plain and simple. The lack thereof was in full effect last night as the Yankees lost the first game of the series to the Kansas City Royals 5-1.

Jun 21, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman

(55) singles to center during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Royals got on the board in the second against Phil Hughes. Billy Butler led off the inning with his seventh homer of the year. Mike Moustakas doubled and scored on David Lough‘s double. Hughes would only last four innings due to a rain delay in the fourth of almost an hour.

The Royals added to the lead in the seventh off Adam Warren. Moustakas singled and scored on Johnny Giavotella‘s double. The Yanks got their lone run of the game in the bottom half of the frame when Lyle Overbay hit his 10th homer of the year.

The Royals put the game away in the ninth. Lough singled and was bunted over to second. Alex Gordon brought him home with a single and Gordon scored when Alcides Escobar tripled him in.

YGY Player Of The Game: Moustakas

Game two is tonight at 7:05. CC Sabathia will face James Shields in a battle of aces.

Notes: Robinson Cano picked two of his teammates for the Home Run Derby. Chris Davis and Prince Fielder will join him. The final member will be added today. Brett Gardner set a team record by striking out in his 16th straight game. Derek Jeter went 0-2 with a walk and a run. Travis Ishikawa became the 43rd player for the Yankees this season.