Posted on 07/05/2006 11:31:35 AM PDT by demlosers
CLEVELAND -- While the debate rages among Yankees followers, the same discussions take place behind closed executive doors.
What's needed most, an impact hitter or another significant starting pitcher?
Tuesday night at Jacobs Field, the Indians only stoked the argument on both sides during an historic 19-1 thrashing on owner George Steinbrenner's 76th birthday.
Cleveland launched six homers on the Fourth of July -- three off starter Shawn Chacon -- and handed the Yankees their worst defeat since a 22-0 loss to the Indians on Aug. 31, 2004 at the Stadium.
The ugliest necktie The Boss ever received couldn't match this bummer of a birthday present.
Chacon is now in jeopardy of losing his starting job, after lasting just 11/3 innings. He was charged with seven runs on six hits and three walks.
And Chacon wasn't even around when the Indians scored nine runs in the fifth inning. T.J. Beam and Mike Myers were pounded in that frame, and Scott Proctor later gave up three more runs.
"The final score was embarrassing," manager Joe Torre said. "But the embarrassment for us is if we had guys out there who didn't care, and that wasn't the case.
"Helpless is a better word."
Jhonny Peralta and Travis Hafner each hit two home runs, while Victor Martinez (5-for-6) and Ronnie Belliard hit one apiece as Cleveland rang up 21 hits.
Winners of four straight games, Cleveland's 18-run margin of victory was its largest at home since June 18, 1950, in a 21-2 victory over the Philadelphia A's.
The Yankees have lost five of nine games, and were thankful to remain four games behind Boston in the AL East.
"Over the next five games, we have to empty the tank and give it all we've got and then regroup during the All-Star break," said Alex Rodriguez, who went 3-for-4.
Tonight, the Yanks expect to recall another pitcher after using five relievers. Ron Villone provided the only sanity, pitching a scoreless 22/3 innings.
Now, he could be Chacon's replacement in the rotation.
"I'm more concerned about [today]," Villone said. "I pride myself on being ready and taking the ball as much as possible. I just want to win."
Torre would only say that Chacon is "scheduled" to make Sunday's start at Tampa Bay. An official decision could be reached today.
"We're going to talk about a lot of things," the manager added.
Said Chacon: "I'm not worried about it, because at this point, I really haven't done anything to keep the spot.
"I was garbage and I set the tone for the rest of the game," said Chacon (4-3), who lamented leaving pitches up in the zone.
A long relief role could be a temporary solution for Chacon, who hasn't been the same since being rocked with a line drive to the left shin on May 11.
Boston's Mark Loretta hit the ball that altered Chacon's season. He left that game with a 4-1 record and a 3.68 ERA.
Since then, Chacon has two losses, three no decisions and a 13.24 ERA over his last five starts -- none of which has lasted past the fifth inning.
The leg injury kept Chacon on the disabled list from May 17 to June 10, but he says there's no physical reason for his subpar pitching.
"There's never any quit," Chacon said of his demeanor. "You just have to go out and make it better."
Chacon pitched Tuesday on eight days' rest. He was skipped over his regular turn to allow Mike Mussina to pitch on his fifth day.
Once more, the Yankees look to Mussina to spare a weary bullpen tonight. But Mussina exited after four innings (and one rain delay) due to a tight right groin in his last start.
Mussina said he had no physical problems at all during his between-starts bullpen session.
Villone's stock has risen sharply of late, with three victories in relief since last Wednesday's game-winning, 12th inning homer by Alex Rodriguez beat the Braves.
The lefty from Bergenfield has started 93 games in his 10-year career. His most recent starting experience came in 2004, in 10 games with Seattle.
Oops!
4-6 of each would be a good start.
Ouch. Tigers lost yesterday too but not that bad.
:-D
It was a good day today: a Yankee win and a Red Sox and Toronto loss. :-)
I wonder if he wished for a younger pitching staff or healthy corner outfielders.
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