After going undefeated in six starts from June 27 to July 27, A.J. Burnett's season has hit a speed bump.
Winless since that July 27 start against the Rays, Burnett is 0-4 in his last six starts with a 6.03 ERA. The Yankees high-priced righty has watched his 10-4 record fall to 10-8, and his 3.53 ERA climb to 4.10.
So what exactly is wrong with the No. 2 start of the first-place Yankees?
He is averaging more than a strikeout per inning over the winless streak, hasn't been walking many hitters and hitters are hitting just .266 off of him. But the one problem with Burnett has been one inning a game that seems to get away from him. And on Thursday against the Rangers, it was the same story for the frustrated Burnett.
Burnett started the game off with 3 2/3 perfect innings and it looked like he would turn in another dominating performance. Instead, he walked the next two hitters and Ian Kinsler knocked the first pitch of his at-bat out of the park to plate three runs for the Rangers.
After that disatrous inning? Burnett went back to dominating, finishing the day with six innings pitched and just two hits. But once again a crooked number cost him the win.
It's been the same story with Burnett all season with one frame always seeming to get away from him through walks and wild pitches. On Thursday, it was the same thing yet again and likely won't be the last time Burnett goes from dominating to disappointing over the last six weeks of the season. Hopefully for the Yankees, it doesn't occur in October.
