The last time I ever had to leave a Yankee game early, they were up by a large margin and I remarked to my friend, “well, if the Yankees blow this lead, I don’t particularly want to see it.”

I was reminded of this incident today.

I’ll keep it simple.

1) The game story, as explained by WPA, courtesy Fangraphs.

2) Prayers are with David Huff, who took an A-Rod double off of his head. Fortunately, word has it that he never lost consciousness, and his CT scan was negative. His family was in attendance at the game. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how dangerous this game can be…

3) CC Sabathia, via tweets from JMK and OSingh91, respectively:

CC currently sporting a career high in FIP, career low in BABIP, contact rate at 79%, high in HR/FB, less than 7 K/9. Career low in fastball velocity.

Wow, a career high in 2-seamers says Pitch f/x (18.1%, career 3.0%, but only 4 yrs of data). Explains low K’s and high FIP.

I mentioned that maybe CC’s heavy workload the past two years is coming home to roost. I hope it’s not the case, but no human being (except maybe old Hoss) can really pitch that many innings that often without having issues.

3) Joba Chamberlain

Needs to not be pitching in high leverage situations.

Last five games: 5 IP, 11 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 3 BB, 6 K.

What’s worse? His numbers in high leverage situations: Opponents are hitting .308/.357/.462/.819, which is very much not what you want from your set-up man. It’s the anti-what-Hughes-did in 2009.

4) Joe Girardi

This shouldn’t be entirely on him, because CC and Joba should have been able to do their jobs, but I don’t really understand removing Mitre after facing just one batter and even less removing Damaso Marte after he got the second out of the inning.

As Jay Jaffe tweeted, the Yankees do not have a shut-down non-closer, healthy RHP in the bullpen right now. That’s, um, not good.