Same Old Story

What in the world is going on with Javier Vazquez? When the Yankees had him in 2004 he was coming off some decent seasons with the Expos. In the Bronx, Vasquez got off to an alright start but struggled down the stretch and imploded in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Red Sox when he gave up a grand slam to Johnny Damon. Vazquez was in relief of Kevin Brown who messed the bed starting the game. Vazquez took a lot of heat for throwing gasoline on the fire and he was shipped out after one season in pinstripes with a misleading 14-10 record and a bloated 4.91 ERA.
He bounced around with the D-Backs, White Sox and with the Braves. Last season in Atlanta he finished 4th in the Cy Young Award voting after turning in a 15-10 mark with a 2.87 ERA and 238 strikeouts in 219 innings.
So, the Yankees traded Melky Cabrera to Atlanta for the veteran righthander this past off-season.
Well, Vazquez part II has been worse than Vazquez part I. Today at the Yankee Stadium Mallpark, Vazquez got lit up by the light hitting White Sox, giving up 3 homers, 5 earned runs and 7 hits in a mere 3 innings of work. He also walked 4.
Maybe Vazquez just doesn't have the intestinal fortitude to pitch for the Yankees. Perhaps he is better pitching for also-rans because there is no pressure.
Bottom line is something is wrong because this guy is better than his 1-3, 9.78 ERA would indicate.
Speaking of part II's gone wrong, Nick Johnson, in his second tour of duty with the Yanks is hitting a robust .136 with a homer and 5 rbi's. When you have Jeter hitting in front of you and Teixeira and A-Clown hitting behind you, how can you be hitting .136? How is that possible? Unfortunately for Yankee fans Johnson somehow has remained fairly healthy. It's only a matter of time until he lands on the DL and the Yanks can find a real DH (Marcus Thames anybody?).
Vazquez and Johnson more proof that sequels usually reek.