What has happened to our beloved Yankees in the last three games. In the opener they got great pitching from Randy Johnson and great hitting from Matsui, A-Rod and basically the whole team. The last two games in Oakland they suffered from poor fielding, lousy relief pitching and poor clutch performances. Last night in Anaheim it was more of the same.

The Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 4-1 on Friday night which was the home opener for the Halos. Shawn Chacon pitched OK, but he was not the same pitcher that Yankee fans enjoyed last year. It started in the first inning when Chone Figgins got on to start the bottom of the first and then Orlando Cabrera followed with a home run to left to give Anaheim an early 2-0 lead. Chacon would surrender two more runs in a six inning stint but labored during most innings.

With the Yankees behind 3-0 in the fifth, Bernie Williams reached on an error by first baseman Casey Kotchman and Johnny Damon followed with a double up the gap in right to score Williams. Damon was left stranded when Jeter and Sheffield both made outs to end the inning.

Anaheim tried everything they could to let the Yankees back in the game in the seventh. J.C. Romero replaced starter Kelvim Escobar and struck out Robinson Cano to start the inning. He then walked Bernie Williams and Johnny Damon to bring the tying run to the plate in the name of Derek Jeter. In came Scott Shields and the usual strong relief pitcher walked DJ to load the bases. What more could the Yankees need? The bases were loaded and due up was Gary Sheffield with only one out. Shields induced Sheff to hit into a inning ending around the horn double play ball.

In the eighth the Yankees were retired in order by Shields and Francisco Rodriguez (K-Rod) saved the game in the ninth by pitching a perfect inning. All night long though the Yankees seemed flat and lackluster and just couldn't get the big hit or make the big pitch when they needed it so desperately.

Perhaps the Big Unit can return the Yankees to the win column tonight by pitching like he did last Monday evening against the A's. The Angels have been a thorn in the side of the Yankees during Joe Torre's tenure. They are one of the few teams during this time that have managed a winning record against the Bronx Bombers. Yankees Broadcaster Michael Kay commented last night that the Yankees just do not match up well against a team like the Angels that play sound fundamental baseball and nibble a team to death.

Well die hard Yankees fans, the season is still very early, but speaking for myself only I hope we see a better effort starting tonight.