When it rains it pours; Yankees in last-place after loss to Royals

The New York Yankees continued to struggle yesterday at the plate going 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position during a 6-0 defeat at the hands of the Kansas City Royals. The loss, their sixth in the last seven games, left them in a tie for last-place with the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

The Yankees played like a team without answers to their now nine-game hitting slump. Felipe Paulino deserves some of the credit as he worked 6.2 innings allowing only six hits and two walks while striking out eight batters. Two more Royals had scoreless efforts to maintain the shutout. It was Paulino’s second victory against the Yankees this season.

The Yankees’ struggles are not limited to the hitting right now. They were put behind the eight-ball in the first inning as Hiroki Kuroda allowed yet another home run, now six in his last three starts, if you are counting at home. The Yankees had to play catch up and for a team mightily struggling to produce runs even a two-run deficit seems huge.

Kuroda, who fell to 3-6 on the season, lasted only 5.1 innings. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out four Royals. Kuroda continues to generate ground-ball outs, but has gone through one of the tougher stretches of his career where it concerns allowing home runs.

While Paulino was pitching well there were numerous chances for the Yankees to break through. The bottom of the third inning epitomized the Yankees’ struggles. Russell Martin singled to open the frame. Derek Jeter was next and singled as well, followed by a walk to Curtis Granderson. The bases were loaded for the heart of the order, the perfect time to break the streak and get back into the game. It wasn’t meant to be as Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez struck out. Raul Ibanez, who is one of a few Yankees hitting at all, couldn’t get it done in this at-bat, as he flew out to left.

TEIXEIRA DROPPED IN LINEUP

Mark Teixeira was dropped to seventh in the lineup after returning from a few days of rest in an effort to help his month-long cough. It is the first time since his rookie season that he has hit that low in the lineup.

NOTEWORTHY

• The Yankees are now 6 for their last 72 with RISP.
• David Robertson is unlikely to return when eligible from the DL as reported by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
• Rodriguez hit his 500th career double in last night’s loss.

TODAY’S GAME

Phil Hughes toes the rubber in tonight’s game for the Yankees. He’ll face off against Luke Hochevar, who the Yankees have pounded in the past. Is tonight the night the bats come alive?

EDITORIAL NOTE

Visit us later today as I’ll try to spin some positives out of the Yankees thickening web of offensive ineptitude.