Royals snap Yanks’ seven-game win streak

The stage was set once again in the ninth inning, but unlike the night before — and all season long — the Yankees (102-57) didn’t come through and lost to the Royals (65-94) 4-3 last night. The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak.

Quick ‘Cap:
Starter Joba Chamberlain completed 3-2/3 innings in 91 pitches, and allowed four walks and seven hits. Nick Swisher’s two-run homer in the fifth bailed Chamberlain out of the loss, but Damaso Marte was hit with the loss when Sergio Mitre allowed an inherited runner to score on John Buck’s triple.

Joe Girardi used seven pitchers in the loss, including Alfredo Aceves for two, and Phil Hughes and Mariano closing out the final two innings. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
They had to lose sometime, right? With a chance to go 105-57, how can you not be sitting on top of the world right now? Chamberlain is inconsistent, that’s nothing new. Still, his playoff role is yet to be determined.

Line of the Night:
Chamberlain: 3-2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K. This all came on 91 pitches — just 52 for strikes. That’s awful, folks. And against the weakened Royals? Come on.

Up Next:
The Yankees get an off-day on Thursday (I wish I did too), but will start a weekend series with the Rays on Friday to close out the season.