Sparks, NV (AP)---After winning six games in a row, the Yankees have now dropped four in a row, including 4-2 to the Mariners; 1-0 to the Red Sox; and 4-3 to the Indians.

All of the games were winnable, as each game featured the Yankees leaving several runners on base (including 12 in the Indians loss).

The Yankees have dealt with injuries and absences all year, as Web Charles has missed three games (due to vacations), Owen Bartlett missed 3-4 games with an elbow injury, Riley Coyne has missed two games due to a hand injury, Cameron Espinosa has missed one game, Grayson Young has missed 3-4 games due to a foot injury, and Jason Johnson has missed 2 games due to a facial injury.  The last three games, the Yankees have had only nine players suited up in uniform to play.  The lack of depth and a consistent starting line-up has hurt the once 11-2-1 team, which now stands at 11-6-1 and in need of one win (or an Indian or Mariner loss) to secure a play-off spot.  The Yankees have three games left to get healthy and hopefully right the ship.  The Yankees play the Indians on Tuesday at 7:45, the White Sox on Wednesday at 7:45 (Shadow Mountain), and the Rangers on Friday at 7:45.

“We have one of the best, if not THE best pitching staffs in our league…as evidenced by our runs allowed,” said coach Blaine Beard.  “But, it doesn’t mean anything without a healthy team that can score some runs backing them up.  Right now, we are getting base runners, but just not the big hit that scores them…that will change.  Every team goes through rough spots and times of adversity…we need to hit 1-9 for our pitchers…our position players owe it to them.”

The play-off race is heating up…as the Red Sox and Rangers have secured play-off spots, leaving three teams (the 11-6-1 Yankees / the 10-8-2 Mariners / and the 9-9 Indians) fighting for two spots.

It should be an exciting week of baseball!!!