Not a Happy Homecoming For Phelps In St. Louis

As I said, if the Yankees can just get decent, if not great, pitching performances from the likes of David Phelps until the injured starters come back, and score enough runs to win those games, we'll be all right.

Phelps had been delivering lately. Last night, against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team he grew up near and cheered as a boy, he did not. It should be noted that 2 errors resulted in 2 unearned runs. Still, he allowed 5 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings, so it was not a good performance.

Not that it would have mattered how well he did, because the Yankees just didn't hit. Lance Lynn started for the Cards. He's already a proven starter in the major leagues, having gone 39-19 since the start of the 2012 season; nevertheless, due to Interleague play, he's the proverbial "pitcher the Yankees have never seen before." You know what that means: Loss. He went the distance and pitched a shutout. (UPDATE: He would later pitch for the Yankees.)

Brian McCann doubled to lead off the 2nd inning, and Brian Roberts doubled in the 5th, but neither got any further. McCann and Derek Jeter walked in the 4th, but a double play prevented a run. Brett Gardner singled and Jacoby Ellsbury doubled in the 6th, but neither could be brought around to score. Ellsbury and Brendan Ryan singled in the 8th, but no dice.

That was it: 8 baserunners, none got to 3rd base. Cardinals 6, Yankees 0. WP: Lynn (6-2). Complete game, so no save. LP: Phelps (1-2).

The series concludes, just a few minutes away as I post this. Hiroki Kuroda starts for the Yankees, Shelby Miller for the Cards.

Tomorrow, the Yankees have an off day, then come home for a 6-game stand against the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics.