No-decisions are creating difficult decisions for the Yankees.
With the bulk of the team’s rotation auditioning for postseason roles, A.J. Burnett further clouded his case in his second start since using new mechanics. Following a solid outing against the Red Sox, Burnett pitched six innings yesterday, allowing four runs, seven hits and four walks, striking out seven in the 5-4, 11-inning loss to the Orioles at Yankee Stadium, his second straight no-decision and longest outing since Aug. 9.
The 34-year-old right-hander’s breaking ball was sharp, accounting for five of the strikeouts, but he had three wild pitches, which set a single-season career-high while matching the team’s single-season record of 23, shared by Tim Leary in 1990.
“I feel like I’ve made progress, but it’s only two starts,” Burnett said. “I’ve changed delivery, this and that, but obviously I feel comfortable enough out there to make better pitches. It’s gonna take time. I see it being a positive for me, and that’s why I’m sticking with it.”
Catcher Russell Martin said Burnett’s demeanor has been more noticeable than the results.
“He’s been keeping his focus,” Martin said. “He hasn’t been letting little things get to him. A couple miscues on defense and he still keeps his head in the right spot. That’s a good sign for him to keep his focus on the mound and keep pitching. He’s heading in the right direction. I’m sure he’s feeling better about himself out there.”
With one win in his past 12 starts, Burnett received little help from his makeshift defense, compiled of a minor league dream team, with most regulars sitting due to the previous night’s game finishing at 2:15 a.m., though Burnett left at least two hours before that game began.
Allowing two runs in the first two innings, one coming during a Brandon Laird error at first base, the Yankees imploded in the third inning. It started with Robert Andino’s pop-up causing confusion for Eduardo Nunez, who allowed the ball to drop near the back of the mound. Afterward, Burnett did himself no favors, covering first base on the back end of a potential double play, but badly missing the bag after receiving the throw from Nunez.
“I looked at the bag early and never picked it up again,” Burnett said. “I thought I was past the bag. I didn’t realize how close I was to the bag.”
Two batters later, Nolan Reimold hit a two-run homer to give the Orioles a 4-2 lead.
“You gotta keep the ball in the yard,” Burnett said. “I kept us in it, best I could. It was a sinker and I wanted to get it a little down. I was hoping the wind would keep it in. One pitch. I keep the ball in the park, we might win this ballgame.”
Manager Joe Girardi said he has no issues with the current six-man rotation and that he will not make a decision yet, but eventually the pitchers will make it for him.
“All that’s out of our hands,” Burnett said. “It’s in our hands, but out of our hands. You pitch better, you help out the decision a little bit.”
