There goes the starting depth

I suppose this is punishment for me not feeling bad about the Yankees losing Chien-Ming Wang this week to a baserunning injury: Bartolo Colon hurt his back swinging the bat yesterday, and will go on the DL. Just what was he trying to do up there? Right-handed reliever Chris Smith rejoins the active roster; he was called up earlier, but didn’t have a chance to pitch. Most likely Justin Masterson will get to stay with the club a little longer, with Clay Buchholz waiting in the wings at Pawtucket.

9-7: Yankees outslug Sox, 15-9

What a difference five days makes. One start after Clay Buchholz and Chien-Ming Wang faced off and went a combined 15 innings with only two earned runs, neither starter made it past the fifth inning today, as the Yankees won a wild one, 15-9. The game was actually a lot more competitive than the score might indicate, with six lead changes on the night.

5-6: Wang 2-hits Sox, 4-1

It was the first Red Sox-Yankees contest of the season, and New York came in a bit banged up. They are likely without Derek Jeter for this whole series. But last night, it didn’t matter, as Chien-Ming Wang (3-0) threw a complete game and completely throttled the Sox lineup all night. The wet, drizzly conditions didn’t make it any easier.