Yankees Fall In Rubber Game vs The A’s As Vidal Nuno Struggles Again

Jun 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Vidal Nuno (57) prepares to deliver a pitch against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

After taking the first game in Oakland the Yankees entered Sunday hoping to take the series from the A’s in the rubber match of the series after losing Saturdays matchup 5-1.

The Yankees Vidal Nuno struggled again today and was knocked around for eight hits and eight runs, he was out of the game after only three innings.  Nuno also gave up 2 home runs, the first to Derek Norris in the 1st inning and the second a 3 run homer to Coco Crisp in the 2nd inning.  The A’s continued their offensive assault in the 4th inning, when  Yankees pitcher Jose Ramirez (who replaced Nuno) hit Craig Gentry in the head then surrenders three singles to Yoenis Cespedes which scored Crisp and  Nick Punto, Derek Norris and Josh Donaldson who’s single brought home  Gentry. The score was 10-0 at this point.

It wasn’t all bad for the Yankees as the offense did show signs of life. Carlos Beltran homered in the seventh which is a great sign the homer was his 6th of the year. Brett Gardner also hit his fifth homer of the year off Jim Johnson in the  ninth. Derek Jeter doubled into center field in the sixth inning and scored on another double by first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Yankees looked to be mounting a comeback in the ninth, but it all ended when John Ryan Murphy struck out to end the game with runners on 1st and second. The final score was 10-5 A’s

FINAL THOUGHTS: Although the Yankees offense did show signs of life, it was just too little too late, and the pitching just wasn’t up to par during today’s game. Vidal Nuno’s struggles have us all scratching our heads and wondering how long until Joe Girardi gives someone else a shot.

The Yankees will head home to face the first placed Toronto Blue Jays this is a great oppurtunity for the Yankees to pick up some ground in the AL east.