OK, so that’s probably a dead issue. But the team’s play is of a bigger concern now as New York blew a 5-1 lead at Tampa Bay on Monday night and fell 6-5 for its sixth straight loss. It's the first time the Yankees have lost this many games in a row since a seven-game skid April 20-27, 2007. And it’s the first time the Bombers have lost consecutive games in which they had leads of at least three runs since July 10-11, 2009.

And how unusual was Tampa Bay scoring those six runs? The Rays had not scored more than five runs in their first 22 home games this season. It was the longest stretch to open the season since the 1908 Brooklyn Superbas went 26 games. Posada wasn’t in the lineup on Monday night as Tampa Bay started lefty David Price. Posada doesn't have a hit against a left-hander this season. He should be back at designated hitter on Tuesday night as Tampa Bay starts right-hander James Shields (4-1, 2.08) in the finale of this two-game series. Shields is a different pitcher at home as he is 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA in four starts at Tropicana Field this season.

New York starts probably the weak link of its rotation in Ivan Nova (3-3, 4.70). Nova allowed eight runs (four earned) and 10 hits by the Royals in his last start. Will the Yanks have second-leading hitter Robinson Cano? He fouled a ball off his left knee during his second at-bat Monday but stayed in the game. Afterward Cano said the knee was sore but hoped to be able to play Tuesday

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