NEW YORK -- It may have been only the first game of the four-game series last night, but the Yankees’ 7-0 loss to the Red Sox didn't sit well with first-year manager Joe Girardi.

Girardi kept the clubhouse closed to reporters for about 30 minutes last night, and aired the team out for its dispirited play.

"It’s embarrassing, for a team like this," said Girardi. "We’re getting shut out almost every other day."

In truth, the Yanks have only been shut out five times all season and only twice, including last night, since May 7.

But they have sputtered offensively of late. Twice in the previous four games before last night, they were limited to a single run.

"Once we [fell behind] tonight," said Girardi, "it's like there was nothing there. They handed it to us tonight and made it look easy. It was embarrassing."

Two days ago, Yankee chairman Hank Steinbrenner had ripped the team's underperforming offense and threatened benching and demotions if the lineup didn’t start producing more.