“I still like how we feel right now,” Manager Joe Torre said. “We have a great deal of confidence right now. A game like today is not going to shake that.”

I’m glad that Torre feels that way. I felt far more discouraged yesterday after the Yankees ^[1] dropped the final game of a four-game set in Seattle yesterday afternoon, 5-1 ^[2]. But I should keep things in perspective, especially considering what is happening in New Orleans right now. I know the two don’t have anything to do with each other, I simply mean that in light of the distressing situation down there it is inappropriate for me to feel too grave about how our team is playing. Jaret Wright ^[3] was beaned by a line drive in the collarbone in the sixth inning. It was a scary moment, fortunately, x-rays were negative. However, Taynon Sturtze, Alan Embree, and Ramiro Mendoza ^[4] did not pitch well in relief, while Joel Pineiro ^[5] had a fine game for the M’s. It was an unfortunate loss. The Bombers ^[6] fell another game behind Boston who beat up Tampa Bay ^[7] again (Ah, so that’s what good teams do–beat the bad ones). The Red Sox offense has carried a mediocre pitching staff. Meanwhile, the Yankees have scored six runs in the last three games combined. The Angels beat Oakland ^[8] last night, and the two teams are tied for first in the AL West, and tied for the wildcard lead with the Yankees.