Downing Continues Personal Assault Against Yankees

There are questions that are not likely to have answers, and this, you figure, is one of them.

But it begs to be asked anyway.

Just what is it with Brian Downing and the New York Yankees?

For the first 14 years of his career, the guy never hit a home run in Yankee Stadium.

Oh-for-14 years, now that’s something.

Then, on the Angels’ trip last week, Downing got No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 in Yankee Stadium on consecutive days. Three games, three homers.

Last season, he didn’t manage a home run against the Yankees anywhere--not in Yankee Stadium, not in Anaheim Stadium.

But Monday night, in his second at-bat in the Angels’ 5-2 loss to the Yankees, he led off the third inning with a homer to left field.

What gives?

Downing has hit six home runs this season, and four of them have come against Yankee pitchers.

Is there something we don’t know?

And is there any way the Angels can arrange for Downing to think everyone who pitches to him is wearing pinstripes and in continual danger of losing their jobs?

In fairness, New York isn’t the only team Downing has been hitting well against lately. He raised his average 97 percentage points by going 17 for 32 (.531) on the recent swing along the Eastern Corridor--through New York, Baltimore and Boston.

Downing just figures it’s a matter of inconsistency, just a different variety.

“Like most of the time, I’ve been inconsistent,” he said. “This year I’ve just been the opposite of other years. I’m not hitting against the teams I usually do well against, and I am doing well against the Yankees.”

Might as well be somebody, the other Angels figure.

“Right now it doesn’t matter who’s hot, just as long as it’s somebody,” Mark McLemore said. “It’s nice that it’s somebody like Downing.”

But why the Yankees?

“I guess the Yankees just happen to be in the way right now,” McLemore said.

After Monday’s 1-for-5 performance, Downing is 8 for 18 against the Yankees in 1988--with 4 home runs in those 18 at-bats. His average, including games against those other teams the Angels have played, is up at .272, from .179 before the trip that began at Yankee Stadium.

“I’ve always been streaky,” Downing said. “This was just another game, trying to get a win somehow. I don’t think about who we’re playing.”

Trying to get a win, he said.

“It wasn’t enough.”

In four tries now, a Downing home run has been “enough” only once.

Even if, in the process, Downing is providing a bit of suspense, however negligible.

After all, there are two more games against the Yankees in this series.

Any chance Downing can keep up this 1.0 homer-per-game average?

Watching the Angels, you get your suspense where you can.