Via Bryan Hoch, the Yankees have traded right-handed reliever, Edwar Ramirez, to the Texas Rangers for “cash considerations.” Edwar was recently designated for assignment in order to make room on the roster for Chan Ho Park. The slender 28-year old ends his disappointing New York tenure with a 5.22 ERA (ERA+ of 85) and 1.955 WHIP over 98 1/3 innings pitched (his K/9 of 10.6 was a bright spot).

Last night, Andy Pettitte pitched a gem, giving up 2 ER over 7 IP. He struck out 7 and lowered his ERA to 4.18. Amazingly, Andy Pettitte has been the best pitcher in the AL since the All-Star break. His FIP of 2.32 is the lowest of any AL pitcher over the last 30 days and his ERA of 2.61 is actually the second lowest during that period of time (King Felix sits above him with a 2.45 ERA). Andy has been an important piece of the Yankees’ playoff puzzle. Without his dominance, the rotation would look rather inconsistent (e.g., Joba, Mitre). He gave the Yankees exactly what they needed last night—a clean, crisp outing—as the bats took care of the rest, allowing for a 9-2 win. Lately, Pettitte has indicated that he would like to continue pitching after 2009 and, given Chien-Ming Wang’s absence and the way Pettitte has performed this season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him end up with the Yankees again next year.

It wasn’t all good last night, however, as Jorge Posada and A-Rod suffered some minor injuries. Jorge left the game after aggravating an already injured left ring finger via a Nelson Cruz foul tip. He’s considered day-to-day and was removed as a precaution. Alex Rodriguez also fouled a pitch off of his left foot and exited the game, but he’s said to be alright. Neither player will miss much time, if any. A.J. Burnett is scheduled to pitch today and was probably going to work with Jose Molina anyway since he and Jorge hate each other it’s a day game after a night game.

Last night, Joba Chamberlain was awful. Although he was given a 4-run lead in the first inning, he coughed it up by allowing 7 ER over 4 IP. In fact, I would argue that he delivered one of the more frustrating performances we’ve seen from Yankee pitchers this season (maybe it’s because I was at the game and watching it in person made it seem even worse). However, somehow, the Yankees managed to mount a comeback in the ninth inning. They scored 4 runs, trimming the Rangers’ lead by one (10-9), and had runners at first and second with no outs. Things were looking very good for the Yankees and, amazingly, they had a shot at winning despite Joba’s dreadful performance.

That is, until Joe Girardi overmanaged and cost the team the game. Instead of allowing Nick Swisher to extend the inning via a hit or a walk, he instructed Swisher to bunt. Why he did this, I have no idea, as Swisher popped out and failed to move both runners into scoring position. If Derek Jeter were up next, I’d probably understand it more, but when you have a slumping Melky Cabrera up next, who then promptly lined into a double play to end the game, why bunt? Swisher should have been given a chance to hit. He has earned that right this season. There was no reason to give up outs when Frank Francisco was on the ropes desperately looking for one. Why help the opponent at all? Even if Swisher got the bunt down, it wouldn’t have been the right call. I know Girardi likes small-ball, but that was ridiculous (you don’t play it that way when you have a highly capable offensive player at the plate and a lesser player following him—not in that situation).

With this decision, I ask, what do you think of Joe Girardi’s managing this season? Obviously we’re in first, so he’s doing something right. However, when he makes a mistake it always seems like it’s a big one. I was at last night’s game and everyone was pretty pissed about the decision to have Swisher bunt (and they were even more pissed about the subsequent outcome). I get the feeling that Yankee fans have never really liked Girardi all that much and I think that will continue after last night’s noticeable error in judgment.