Yankees lose the first game of this important series. They wasted the lead, a tie, and then whatever opportunities they found (only 5 LOB). C.C. starting in his hometown did nothing to step his game up. Giancarlo Stanton coming back from a days rest could have been called “Shane Robinson”, and you wouldn’t know the difference.

Trevor Cahill remains undefeated in Oakland’s Coliseum, and he gave the Yankees a few chances to change that. The Yankees taking the next two games would be big for their Wild Card home field advantage aspirations, but they need a better start, and more consistent offense from whoever takes the field.

GOOD

Gary walking, not on ground-balls, but actually drawing walks.

Hechavarria’s fielding.

C.C. getting 4 straight outs between the 3rd and 4th inning. That’s about the only good he had today. Well, until he goes out and parties with his hometown tonight.

Chad Green with no problems in the 6th. He hasn’t been as consistent as last season, but I still trust him far more than the A.J. Coles of the world.

Gary getting to 1B on a strikeout. He looks leaner, and his eye has been solid, but now for him to start adding hits (and HOMERS?).

Andujar walking again.

Johnny Loaisiga’s fastball, and just his outing in-general.

BAD

Michael Kay saying, “secret sauce of the success of the A’s.”

C.C. Sabathia’s homecoming beginning with an out, and the a bunch of hits, the lead going to the A’s, Andujar getting his 15th error (who needs Machado?), and the A’s entire order getting to bat before Sabathia could get 3 outs.

Hicks allowing the ball to get by him in the 2nd to give the A’s the lead back at 4-3, and C.C. just generally giving the lead back with a walk to start the 2nd inning, and then a near-triple. He let the ball get by him to lead-off the 3rd, too. Usually I trust Hicks out in CF, but today was ugly for him.

Stanton, Hicks, Andujar doing nothing in the 3rd, and giving Cahill a chance to get comfortable.

Gary Sanchez being crossed up on a pitch right after a meeting on the mound, giving up 3B with no outs.

Kay’s Howard Cosell impression.

A.J. Cole coming in and giving up C.C.’s run, and Gleyber just not being able to make the play to keep the ball from getting to the outfield.

Gardner getting thrown out for only the second time this year, and right after he ground out, too. The two old lefties didn’t have their best games today.

Cole gets 2 outs, has the guy down 0-2, and then gives up a smash in the 5th. A.J. Cole’s giraffe-like features are becoming hard to ignore each time he walks off the mound after giving up runs.

Yankees getting 1-2-3’d by Trevino.

Luke Voit’s biggest weakness has been getting K’d looking.

Leaving Gary and Gleyber stranded with no outs. Neil Walker’s pinch-hit K was mostly due to him just coming off the bench, already covered Voit’s K, and then Gardy popped-up. He’s going to way of the Dodo bird.

Gary Sanchez getting K’d by Familia, who really only threw one strike the whole at-bat.

Gardner sliding but missing the single-turned-double in the 8th. I like that he was trying to keep Johnny Lasagna’s sheet clean, but he’s just not making those plays this season.

YANKEE

Aaron Judge finally swinging a bat again (25 dry, 25 off a tee).

Cutch leading the game off with his first ever hit as a Yankee. He stole 2B, and was gifted 3B on a bad throw. He’s already adding something the Yankees needed.

Aaron Hicks giving the Yankees the lead with their 49th sac-fly of the year in the 1st.

LOUIS becoming my idol with every swing. His 7th homer with the team tied the game at 3 after C.C.’s rough start.

C.C. Sabathia leaving the runner stranded at 3B with 0 outs, as he got 2 K’s, and an easy pop-up to end the 3rd.

Johnny Lasagna returns with K’s of Khris Davis, Piscotty, and Matt Olson, and in only 11 pitches.

Hicks with 36 walks in the last 41 games. Credit Ken Singleton, and whichever YES stat guy that gave it to him, with that stat.

Yankees 3 Stars of the Game

* Luke Voit (7th HR as a Yankee, 2 RBI, 1 R)

** Johnny Loaisiga (2 IP, 4 K, 0 ER)

*** Andrew McCutchen (1 H, 1 R, 1 SB)