"The headline writers had a field day using hurricane analogies ("Natural Disaster" was the way the Daily News back page put it Saturday) after A.J. Burnett imploded - again - in a 12-5 loss to the Orioles Friday night in Baltimore.

Along with any ill wind, having more velocity than a Burnett fastball, or sheets of rain, better located than A.J.'s curve, there is collateral damage.

Joe Girardi is bearing the brunt of it.

Unfortunately for the Yankees manager, no one - not even Generalissimo Brian Cashman - will deliver a mandatory evacuation order. In the dugout, the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network's cameras follow Girardi's every move after Burnett is taken deep. Worse still, Girardi cannot vacate the premises, seeking shelter from the storm, after another embarrassing performance by the Bombers' $82.5 million man.

He must stand and testify before reporters who have developed more pitches than Burnett has. They have become skilled at asking the same questions in different ways. Mostly, they want to know two things: What Girardi thinks is/went wrong with Burnett. And why he keeps running him out there. The sessions are all aired on YES, which keeps a tight focus on Girardi's face, a face becoming more drawn and gaunt as August heads into September."