Gary Sanchez

New York Yankees Recap: Giancarlo Stanton powers the Yankees to their 10th win in a row

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New York Yankees, Giancarlo Santon

Tonight the New York Yankees started a short two-game series with the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. This after winning nine games in a row and becoming the winningest baseball team in baseball. They are 26-8 since July 17th. Just 4.5 games out of first place in the AL East. Now they face the first-place team in the NL East. The Yankees put Jordan Montgomery on the mound to face the Braves Huascar Ynoa. The Yankees hoped to do quick work out of this series before going on to a west coast swing. The Yankees won their 10th in a row 5-1.

In the first inning, Ynoa faced DJ LeMahieu, who struck out looking. Anthony Rizzo flew out to left field. Aaron Judge singled for his 15th game in a row on base. Judge stole second. The Yankees have more stolen bases in the second half than any team in baseball. Joey Gallo went down on strikes leaving one on base. At the bottom, Ozzie Albies ground out on the first Montgomery pitch. Jorge Soler walked. Freddie Freeman hit into a force out at second. Austin Riley struck out swinging for the final out of the inning. No score.

Giancarlo Stanton led the second, who homered to right field for the early Yankee lead in the game. Gary Sanchez ground out to short Rougie Odor popped out to right-center. Andrew Velazquez went down looking, but the Yankees got a run in the inning. At the bottom, Dansby Swanson got a run tying home run to right. Adam Duvall flew out to Stanton in right. William Contreras walked. Guillermo Heredia flew out to a running Joey Gallo for the second out. Huascar Ynoa struck out swinging. New York Yankees 1 Atlanta Braves 1.

Pitcher Jordan Montgomery led off the third inning by going out swinging. LeMahieu ground out to left. Rizzo went down on strikes for a quick inning for Ynoa. At the bottom, it was the top of the lineup for the Braves. Albies flew out to Stanton in right. Soler flew out to a running Judge in center. Freeman ground out to first to end the scoreless inning, a 1-2-3 inning for Montgomery. Yankees 1 Braves 1.

The fourth inning was led off by Aaron Juge, who ground out to short. Joey Gallo went down swinging. Stanton struck out for a quick inning for Ynoa. At the bottom, Riley ground out to short. Swanson flew out to short. Duvall walked. Contreras struck out. The bottom of the inning was scoreless for the Yankees.

The fifth inning was scoreless for both teams. Jordan Montgomery went five full innings allowing two hits and one run.

At the top of the sixth, LeMahieu singled. Rizzo struck out. Judge flew out to shallow center. Gallo walked bringing up Stanton with two on and two outs; he got a two-run double, scoring LeMahieu and Gallo for the two-run lead by the Yankees. Stanton, with his homer in the second, had scored all the runs in the game. Sanchez struck out swinging, but the Yankees took the lead in the game. At the bottom, Riley against Jonathan Loaisgia struck out swinging. Swanson went down on strikes. Duvall singled to left. With one on and two outs, Contreras ground out to Velazques, who flipped to second for the final out. New York Yankees 3 Atlanta Braves 1.

In the seventh inning, Odor led off against new Braves pitcher AJ Minter by going down swinging. Velazquez flew out to the warning track in from of the bullpen. Then, Brett Gardner that replaced Judge in center went down on strikes. Heredia led off the bottom of the seventh by tapping back to Loaisiga. Joc Pederson pinch-hitting for the pitcher tapped into Sanchez’s glove for out number two. Albies struck out swinging. Yankees 3 Braves 1.

DJ LeMahieu led off the eighth inning again Edgar Santana and flew out to center. Rizzo ground out to second. Judge got a base hit to left. Gallo walked. A balk moved the runners up. Luke Voit pinch-hitting for Loaisgia walked the bases loaded for Sanchez. Sanchez facing new Braves pitcher Jessie Chavez and singled to left with the bases loaded and two outs, scoring both Judge and Gallo for the Yankees 4 run lead. Odor flew out to center to end the half. At the bottom Soler with Wandy Peralta on the mound, singled to center. Freeman hit into a 5-6-3 double play. Riley doubled to right-center. Swanson stuck out swinging. New York Yankees 5 Braves 1.

The top of the ninth inning was led off by Velazquez, who lined out to left field. Gardner went down looking. LeMahieu walked. Rizzo struck out swinging. At the bottom, with closer Aroldis Chapman on the mound, Duvall was called out on strikes. Contreras ground out to Velazquez at short for the second out. Heredia ground out to short to end the game and get the Yankees their 10th win in a row.

The final score was the New York Yankees 5 and the Atlanta Braves 1. The winning pitcher was Jordan Montgomery, and the loser was Huascar Ynoa.

 

 

 

New York Yankees Recap: Andrew Heaney sweeps the Red Sox

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andrew heaney, yankees

Tonight after sweeping the doubleheader yesterday, the New York Yankees took on the Boston Red Sox with the hope of sweeping the series and going even further ahead of the Sox. They were even in the AL East at five games back in the AL East at the beginning of the game. Andrew Heaney faced Nick Pivetta. The Yankees got the 5-2 win and took over the first wild card slot.

In the first inning, Kiki Hernandez flew out to Judge in right for the first out of the game. Hunter Renfroe tapped out to first. Xander Bogaerts hit an opposite-field home run to put the Red Sox up one. Rafael Devers struck out to end the half. DJ LeMahieu went down, looking at the bottom. In his first night back after being on the Covid list, Anthony Rizzo flew out to left-center. Aaron Judge walked. Joey Gallo flew out to left. Boston Red Sox 1 Yankees 0.

The second inning was led off by JT Martinez, who struck out on a foul tip. Then, Keven Palwecki flew out to Judge in right. Finally, Alex Verdugo popped out to short to end the half for a 1-2-3 inning for Heaney.

At the bottom, Giancarlo Stanton led off by hitting a base hit to left field. Rougie Odor walked. Gary Sanchez singled to right, Stanton moved to third, but Odor was called out at second. On review, Odor was safe. Brett Gardner, with the bases loaded and no outs, got a sac fly scoring Stanton. Andrew Velazquez got an RBI single-scoring Odor. Velazquez stole second. LeMahieu lined out to third. Anthony Rizzo singled beyond first, driving in two runs. Judge walked, knocking Pivetta out of the game. Gallo faced the new Sox pitcher Garrett Richards and ground out to second to end the inning, but the Yankees picked up four runs in the inning. New York Yankees 4 Red Sox 1.

The third inning was led off by Bobby Dalbec, who flew out to Judge in right. Christian Vazquez ground out to third. Hernandez struck out to end the half. Stanton, at the bottom, walked. Odor went down on strikes. Sanchez went down swinging. Gardner ground out to second to end the inning. Yankees 4 Sox 1.

Hunter Renfroe led off the fourth by walking. Bogaerts hit into a force out at second. Bogaerts went to second on a wild pitch. Devers ground out with Bogaerts going to third. Martinez ground out to Odor. At the bottom of the inning, it was Velazquez at the plate; he struck out. LeMahieu flew out. Rizzo struck out. Yankees 4 Sox 1.

Kevin Palwecki led off the fifth with a single to left field. Verdugo popped out to Gallo in left. Dalbec was robbed for hit by a jumping LeMahieu. Vazquez popped out to the infield for the final out. Judge led off the bottom by grounding out to first. Gallo struck out, and Stanton gave it a ride but out in the far center. Yankees 4 Sox 1.

The sixth was led off by Hernandez, who walked. Renfroe flew out to right. Bogaerts hit into a double play to end the half. At the bottom, Odor led off by grounding out to first. Sanchez flew out to center. Gardner faced the new Sox pitcher Martin Perez and got an infield single. With two outs and one on, Velazquez went down looking for the final out of the inning. New York Yankees 4 and the Red Sox 1.

Rafael Devers led off the seventh inning and struck out. Martinez flew out to Gallo in left. Kevin Palwecki flew out to center. At the bottom against new Red Sox pitcher, Adam Ottavino ground out in the infield. Rizzo flew out to second. Judge walked. Judge stole second without a throw. Gallo was walked intentionally. Stanton, with two on and two outs, ground out to third, got end another scoreless inning.

At the eight with Zack Britton on the mound, Verdugo struck out looking. Verdugo ground out to short. Vazquez ground out to second. At the bottom, Odor flew out to shallow center. Sanchez got a stand-up double to center. Gardner ground out to first, with Sanchez going to third. Velazquez singled to left with Sanchez scoring. LeMahieu ground out to second to end the inning. New York Yankees 5 Red Sox 1.

The top of the ninth saw the return from the Covid list of closer Aroldis Chapman. Hernandez went down on strikes. Renfroe homered to the left-field stands. Bogaerts walked. Devers ground out directly to Rizzo at first, Bogaerts moved to second. Martinez singled to center, moving Bogaerts to third, and that was it for Chapman. Lucas Luetge trying to nail down his first save in nine years, came in to face Palwecki, who ground out to Velazquez, who fired to Rizzo for the last out that was upheld by review. Yankees swept the Red Sox.

The final score was the New York Yankees 5 and the Red Sox 2. The winning pitcher was Andrew Heaney, and the loser was Nick Pivetta, with Lucas Luetge getting his first save in nine years.

 

 

 

 

 

New York Yankees Breaking News: Catcher Gary Sanchez has tested positive for Covid

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New York Yankees, Gary Sanchez

According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, the New York Yankees have reported that catcher Gary Sanchez has tested positive for the Covid virus. Manager Aaron Boone made the announcement just moments ago. The Yankees already have had several players test positive for the virus even though the team was the first to reach an 85% vaccination rate. It is not known if Sanchez was vaccinated or not.

More on this from EmpireSportsMedia.coms as move information becomes available.

New York Yankees: Injury updates on all 18 Yankee players

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Although not as bad as in 2019, the New York Yankees have certainly had their share of injuries this season. Those injuries were further exacerbated by six Yankees going on the Covid list. But it’s time for Yankees fans to sit back and relax; relief is on the way. Here are up-to-date injury updates on all the Yankee players.

Luis Severino (elbow)

One of the most important injuries the Yankee fans have been watching for is the return of Luis Severino from his Tommy John surgery. Severino was 33-14 between 2017 and 2018 before the surgery in 2019. The good news is that his return will be coming sooner than later. Aaron Boone reported that Sevi pitched a simulated two innings with 38 pitches yesterday at Fenway Park.  Next week he may start a rehab game in Somerset.  Projected return late August.

Corey Kluber (shoulder)

Another starter being closely watched is Corey Kluber. Kluber finally found his form with a no-hitter complete game on May 19th before leaving his May 25th game with shoulder tightness. Kluber never stopped throwing. Brian Hock of MLB.com reports that Kluber threw 20 pitches off the mound at Fenway on Friday as he draws closer to an early September return.

Michael King (finger)

Starter/reliever Michael King who was the primary fill-in for Corey Kluber, injured his finger when he jammed it between weights in the weight room. He hasn’t pitched since July 3rd against the Mets. Aaron Boone says his return is still a bit away. CBS Sports reports that he may start to throw this week. Nevertheless, he will need time to ramp back up. Projected return mid to late August.

Clarke Schmidt (elbow)

Clarke Schmidt has been out all of the season with an elbow injury. He hasn’t pitched since September 27, 2020. He suffered a flexor tendon strain. Although a common injury rehab can be long, and it has been. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that Schmidt would take part in a rehab game next Wednesday. Schmidt could return to the big team before the end of the season.

T.J.Sikkema (lat injury)

Sikkema is a minor league starting pitcher that has not pitched this season due to a lat injury suffered in spring training. Little information is available on his progress, But if and when he returns, it will probably be for the Renegades. He is presently on the 60 day.

Darren O’Day (hamstring)

The sidearm reliever Darren O’Day was put on the 60 day IL a week ago on Friday. After a setback, O’Day is likely out for the season. After missing the start of the season with a shoulder issue, it now appears that he will only have 10 appearances for the Yankees this season.

Wandy Peralta (Covid)

Wandy Peralta was one of the first Yankees to go on the Covid list. He could be back in the bullpen next week.

Luke Voit (knee)

First baseman Luke Voit has been the bad luck kid this season. Voit missed the start of the season. He returned to the team on May 15, but after 10 days, he was back on the IL. He returned on June 22nd. But his last game would be on July 11th after suffering a bruised knee that impeded his running. Aaron Boone has reported that he is doing significantly better and may return to the team during the first week of August.

Aaron Hicks (wrist)

Centerfielder Aaron Hicks underwent wrist surgery and likely will not return this season.

Clint Frazier (vision)

Frazier has had a strange vision problem that was first described as dizziness. As a result, he hasn’t played at all during July. He has visited an eye specialist, but a clear diagnosis has been elusive. As a result, he is not taking part in any baseball activities. He has not been cleared to start playing again, per Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger. Return unknown.

Miguel Andujar (wrist)

Outfielder Miguel Andujar injured his wrist. The last game he played in was on July 6th. However, a recent setback in his rehab will cause him to be out longer than expected. Brian Hock of MLB.com reports that he will get another cortisone shot. With rehab still in progress, there is no projected return.

Gio Ushela (Covid)

Gio Ushela is back with the club in Boston. He is scheduled to be activated today and may be in today’s lineup after returning from the Covid list.

Aaron Judge (Covid)

Aaron Judge is another Yankee player that was put on the Covid list. However, Aaron Boone said on Thursday that Aaron Judge could rejoin the team this weekend and could be cleared to play early next week in the Rays series.

Kyle Higasioka (Covid)

Backup catcher Kyel Higasioka has been on the Covid list. Gary Sanchez came down with back spasms leaving only Rob Brantly, only Yankees catcher. If he were injured yesterday, that would make Roughie Odor the only real option. Luckily “Higgy” is expected to be back with the team for the Tampa Bay Rays series.

Gary Sanchez (back)

Gary Sanchez left the first game of the Boston Red Sox series with back spasms. With Higashioka on the Covid list, it left Rob Brantly as the only Yankee catcher. He is listed as day-to-day. So fans will have to wait for today’s lineup to see if he returns to the backstop.

Tim Locastro (Knee)

Tim Locastro was brought up because of a shortage of outfielders. Unfortunately, he injured his knee. The Associated Press has reported that he will undergo knee surgery next week, likely ending his season.

Trey Amburgey (Hamstring)

Amburgey was another player brought up to shore up the outfield. Unfortunately, he pulled a hamstring in his second game last Tuesday. He is on the ten-day; however, they could heal quickly with hamstring injuries or keep a player out for an extended time.

Chris Gittens (ankle)

First baseman Chris Gittens was taken out of the game yesterday when he collapsed running to first base. He is listed as day-to-day and will undergo an MRI today to see how serious the injury is.

Reliever/Stater Nestor Cortes Jr. and Jonathan Loaisiga have already returned from the Covid list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yankees Notes: Gary Sanchez injury, blockbuster trade for pitcher possible

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Could the New York Yankees pursue Max Scherzer in a trade?

The New York Yankees have now fallen to the Boston Red Sox in two consecutive games, a disappointing reality that further plummets the team in the AL East standings. Losing 6-2 on Friday night, another source of bad news comes in the form of catcher Gary Sanchez, who was pulled from the game with mid-back spasms.

Sanchez has been playing far better as of late, hitting .219 with 17 homers and 37 RBIs the season, including three hits and three runs in his last three games. Hopefully, the injury is nothing serious, and he can make a return quickly, as the Yankees starting team is being swindled with injuries and Covid situations.

“We’ll just see how he responds overnight,” manager Aaron Boone said. “His back started locking up. Felt like it was cramping on him in the early innings. Then by the fifth when he came out, it just really kind of locked up on him.”

“Hopefully he’s back in there and it’s just something that kind of locked up on him, hopefully a short-term thing.”

The Bombers don’t have much depth, with Kyle Higashioka also working his way back, so the team utilized depth piece Rob Brantley in his place, who was recently pulled up from the minors.

The Yankees could target Nationals’ Max Scherzer to bolster the starting pitching:

With the trade deadline nearing, the Yankees have been connected to various players, but one big name has bubbled to the surface, starting pitcher Max Scherzer. The Washington Nationals star hosts a 2.83 ERA the season with a 12.17 strikeout rate and 2.14 walks per nine. He has been stellar this year at 36 years old, and with Scherzer in the final year of a seven-year, $210 million deal, the Yankees would have to absorb a sizable amount of money, but he could elevate the starting unit to another level.

Adding Scherzer behind Gerrit Cole would be fantastic, and hopefully, fuel a late run for the Yankees to make the postseason. However, they have to make a decision quickly if they want to bolster the team and inject some momentum.

With Corey Kluber and Luis Severino expected to return within the next few weeks, the team should have plenty of starting pitching options to work with, but none they can truly rely on. There’s no doubt that Scherzer would command a few prospects in return, but it’s a move the Yankees might have to make if they want to remain in the hunt.

New York Yankees Recap: 4 home runs power Yankees to win over the Phillies

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The New York Yankees entered the series with the Philadelphia Phillies tonight with a rag-tag team the had a higher positivity rate than any time in the season after winning a series against the Boston Red Sox. Even with their beleaguered team with several players on the IL, they were hoping to take their second series in a row. The Yankees won the game via the home run 6-4 for their third win in a row.

Jean Segura led off the first inning and walked against Domingo German. J.T. Realmuto ground out. Bryce Harper struck out. Former Yankee Andrew McCutchen struck out to end the half. At the bottom, Brett Gardner led off for the Yankees and struck out. Giancarlo Stanton went down looking. Rougie Odor struck out for a scoreless inning for both teams.

In the second, Rhys Hoskings, the Phillies’ home run leader, led off by hitting a homer to center field. Didi Gregorius recorded the first out with a fly out to center. Brad Miller walked. Ronald Toreyes struck out. Travis Jankowski struck out to end the inning, but the Phillies picked up a run. Gary Sanchez led off the Phillies at the bottom and flew out to right-center. Gleyber Torres flew out to the same place. Rob Brantly tapped back to the pitcher to end the inning. Phillies 1 Yankees 0.

Jean Segura led off the third by grounding out. JT Realmuto hit sharply to Tyler Wade at third for the second out. Bryce Harper singled to the center. McCutchen lined out directly to Wade at third to end the half. At the bottom, Greg Allen led off by getting a lead-off triple over the head of Harper. Estevan Florial sac flew for the tie of the game. Tyler Wade recorded the second out with a fly ball to McCutchen in left. Gardner flew out. New York Yankees 1 Phillies 1.

Hoskins led off the fourth by walking. Gregorius flew out for the first out. Miller flew out to shallow short. Toreyes hit a double over the head of Gardner, driving in a run for the Phillies.  Jankowski struck out, but the Phillies added another run. At the bottom, Stanton struck out. Odor got a bunt single for the Yankees. Sanchez hit the left-field wall so hard that he was limited to a single, but Odor went to third. Torres went down on strikes. Brantly, with two on and two outs, popped out to end the inning. Phillies 2 Yankees 1.

In the fifth inning, the Yankees picked up two runs, partly because of Brett Gardner’s home run to centerfield off of Nola. It would end up that the Yankees won this game via the long ball. Gary Sanchez hit a long ball in the sixth inning also off of Nola. In the seventh inning, Giancarlo Stanton hit a monster home run. New York Yankees 5 Philadelphia Phillies 2.

At the top of the eighth inning, the Phillies picked up a run off of Zack Britton. Britton gave up 3 hits in the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Greg Allen struck out. Estevan Florial, who walked in the sixth, had a solo shot to the short right-field porch to make it 6-3 New York Yankees. It was Florials first Major League home run. Tyler Wade gound out for the second out of the inning. Brett Gardner, with two outs, ground out to second to end the inning, but the Yankees picked up another run in the inning. New York Yankees 6 Phillies 3.

At the top of the ninth inning, the Yankees sent closer Aroldis Chapman to the mound to close it out for the Yankees with the three-run led. Chapman has been shakey, to say the least trying to close games for the Yankees recently. Bryce Harper struck out on a Chapman slider. Andrew McCutchen homer to the left-field stands as the Phillies tacked on another run as Chapman’s late-inning woes continued. Rhys Hoskins struck out swinging. Didi Gregorius, who was 0-4 on the night, also struck out against his old teammate. The Yankees held onto the 6-4 lead to take the first game of the Phillies series and their third win in a row.

The final score was the New York Yankees 6 and the Philadelphia Phillies 4. The winning pitcher was Luis Cessa, and the loser was Aaron Nola. The save went to Aroldis Chapman, his 17th of the season.

New York Yankees: 3 Takeaways from wet and wild Yankees’ win over the Sox (video)

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yankees, gerrit cole

The New York Yankees finally won a game against their hated rival, the Boston Red Sox. Previous to last night, they had not won a game against the Boston team in seven tries. So last night with Yankee ace Gerrit Cole on the mound, the Yankee fans were hoping for a big win. Although the win wasn’t big, a win is a win. In a rain-shortened game, the Yankees outscored the Sox 3-1.

Gerrit Cole doesn’t disappoint

For the second game in a row, New York Yankee ace Gerrit Cole threw a complete game, albeit a shortened game.  In a full six innings of play, Cole struck out eleven Red Sox. Cole was pretty much on fire allowing only one run-walking just two. Cole had complete control of his pitches as he did in his last game against the Houston Astros. He pitched a complete 9 inning game in that game using a career-high 129 pitches in a complete-game shutout of his old team. Cole is now 10-4 with an ERA of 2.63 in 19 games.

Back to back homers power Yankees to a win

The Yankees that so often this season have lacked hitting the long ball did it last night in the sixth and final inning of a rain-shortened game in the Bronx. In the sixth inning, Gary Sanchez and Gleyber Torres hit back-to-back homers to win the game for the Yankees. Torres had gone 29 games without hitting a home run.

Although it was a wet and wild game, there was not a lot of action; not much happened until Christain Arroyo brought in a run for the Red Sox in the second inning. The Yankees answered in the fifth, Greg Allen doubled. Then, LeMahieu singled, driving in Allen for the tie of the game. Stanton flew out to first to end the inning, but the Yankees tied the game.

The real action took place in the pouring rain in the sixth inning. Rougie Odor struck out, Sanchez homered to center as the Yankee took the lead in the game. Torres went back to back with a homer to right-center. As the inning continued, the grounds crew again came out to add a drying agent to the mound and home plate. Brett Gardner walked. Chris Gittens singled, putting two on for the Yankees. Tyler Wade singled with Gittens going to second on a bad throw. But on review, he was called out. With two outs and two on, Allen struck out to end one of the longest innings I have seen, but the Yankees took the two-run lead. At the end of the sixth, with the field becoming dangerous, the umpires finally called for the tarp. Unfortunately, the tarp never came off as the Yankees won the game 3-1.

One fan got far too excited

Even though fans expect some wild stuff when the Yankees meet up with the Red Sox, last night’s game was wild even for those standards. First, the game was delayed about 50 minutes because of storms nearby. Then, it never rained, and the game was finally started. After the sixth inning, with rains pouring out of the heavens, the game was again delayed another 50 minutes until it was finally called. From the third inning on, it rained hard at times at the Stadium in the Bronx.

Also, in the sixth inning, the Red Sox Alex Verdugo threw a ball to a Red Sox fan, but a Yankee fan caught it in right-center. Verdugo turned and crouched to get ready for the next play when he was plunked in the back with a fan-thrown ball. To say the least, Verdugo was outraged. What followed was an obscenity ladened back, and forth the caused a long game delay. Umpires and both managers took to the field while the Red Sox manager Alex Cora called his team off the field.  Both managers condemned the action of the fan and said that no player should have to worry about their own safety.

 

New York Yankees: Gary Sanchez and Gleyber Torres go back to back to win over the Red Sox

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New York Yankees, Gary Sanchez

Tonight the New York Yankees again took on the Boston Red Sox after being shut out last night. The Yankees were now 0-7 against their East-leading rivals. With a patched-together lineup and Gerrit Cole on the mound, the Yankees were finally hoping for a win against their long-term rival and a turnaround to their underperforming season. The game ended up being a wet circus of a game, with the Yankees finally taking a game from the Red Sox. The final score was the New York Yankees 3 and the Boston Red Sox 1.

Enrique Hernandez led off against Cole with a double to left. Alex Verdugo hit to left, but Locastro caught it at the wall became up limping. It appeared he was okay. JD Martinez struck out. Rafael Devers struck out to end the half. At the bottom, DJ LeMahieu led off by striking out. In the first several innings, not much happened until Christain Arroyo brought in a run for the Red Sox in the second inning.  Gerrit Cole was on fire all night.

At the bottom of the fifth, Greg Allen doubled. LeMahieu singled, driving in Allen for the tie of the game. Stanton flew out to first to end the inning, but the Yankees tied the game. New York Yankees 1 Boston Red Sox 1.

Verdugo led off the sixth for Cole’s ninth strikeout of the game. Martinez struck out. Devers walked. Renfro had a slow roller to third for a single. Duran still looking for his major league first hit walked. Vazquez, with the bases loaded, stuck out to get Cole out of a jam. Rougie Odor led off the bottom of the inning against Sawamuro, but an altercation in center delayed the game by Verdugo and a fan. Meanwhile, the grounds crew tried to dry the infield with heavy rain falling.

Odor, after a long wait, struck out. Sanchez homered to center as the Yankee took the lead in the game. Torres went back to back with a homer to right-center. As the inning continued, the grounds crew again came out to add a drying agent to the mound and home plate. Brett Gardner walked. Chris Gittens singled, putting two on for the Yankees. Tyler Wade singled with Gittens going to second on a bad throw. But on review, he was called out. With two outs and two on, Allen struck out to end one of the longest innings I have seen, but the Yankees took the two-run lead. New York Yankees 3 the Boston Red Sox 1.

At the top of the seventh, the tarp finally covered the field, with the field becoming dangerously wet. At 11:50 pm, the game was finally called, with the Yankees winning over the Red Sox 3-1. The winning pitcher was Gerrit Cole, and the loser was Hirokazu Sawamura.

Notes: Time Locastro left the game in the second inning with a torn ACL.  Gerrit Cole got 11 strikeouts in the game. It was his 6th game with ten or more strikeouts giving up one run or less to make New York Yankee history.

New York Yankees: Takeaways from Yankees stunning loss to the Astros

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New York Yankees, Aroldis Chapman

The New York Yankees went into last night’s game at Minute Maid Park in Houston hoping for the sweep of the Astros after shutting them out in the first two games. Instead, what they got was a kick in the butt in the last inning of the series. They lost that game when their hated rival had a walk-off 8-7 win.

Yankees pitch well through eight

Following Jameson Taillon‘s best outing of the season yesterday, he again pitched well. He again had good control of his pitches, allowing only three hits over six innings of work. However, something that still dogs him is giving up home runs. Of the three hits allowed, two were for home runs—one to Maldonado in the third inning and one to Tucker in the sixth inning.

When Taillon’s night was done, Boone made an unusual move bringing in starter Domingo German. The Yankees entered the eighth inning with a tight 4-2 lead. With DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Judge on board, Gary Sanchez hit a three-run homer to left to give the Yankees a five-run lead. At the bottom with that lead, German was masterful in getting a 1-2-3 inning and protecting that lead.

With the New York Yankees almost assured with the sweep of the Astros, everything went south for the Yankees. The Houston Astros that only scored two runs in 24 innings of the series erupted for six runs for the walk-off win. German gave up two runs, and he was replaced by Chad Green still with the lead; he gave up four runs for the complete collapse of the Yankee closers.

Yankees missed multiple opportunities

After shutting out the Houston Astros in the first two games, the Yankees in the eighth inning of last night’s game looked to be on the threshold of a complete three-game sweep of the Astros. But that was not to be as the Astros would score six runs for a stunning walk-off win. But that didn’t have to happen. Something that has dogged the Yankees all season long is the lack of timely hitting. That lack of hitting was evident again last night as the Yankees missed several opportunities to score far more runs. The Yankees went 3 for 16 with runners in scoring position. Although the Yankees had plenty of traffic on the bases, they got 8 hits and a season-high 14 walks off of Astros pitching.

The New York Yankees have a closer problem

The New York Yankees have had plenty of problems this season with starting pitching and a lineup that most of the time fails to hit, causing the Yankees to lose games. But now, an even bigger problem may be emerging. The Yankees don’t have a dependable closer.

Aroldis Chapman, after a strong start to the season, not giving up a run in his first 18 games, he’s given up a whopping 14 earned runs over his last 5 2/3 innings for a 22.24 ERA. It’s not a question of his “Cuban Missile” power; it’s still there, but he no longer has consistent command over his blazing fastball, and the results have been disastrous. In his last four attempts to save, he has given up 9 runs while walking 8 and only recording 5 strikeouts.

In a huge implosion against the New York Mets, he gave up 3 runs in the ninth inning of the first game of a 7 inning doubleheader on July 4th. Then, on July 6th against the Seattle Mariners, he gave up a hit and walked two with an eleven-run lead. He got out of the inning, but it took 24 pitches to register 3 strikeouts. Since then, Boone has been afraid to send him out onto to mound in save situations.  The next possible closer is Zack Britton, but; he has been on the IL with a hamstring injury and is not ready to return. Next in line is Chad Green, who can be lights-out but isn’t consistent, as seen in last night’s game when he gave up three runs and took the loss. The Yankees have to find out what’s causing Chapman’s dilemma and get it fixed sooner than later.

New York Yankees Recap: Astros shock the Yankees with walk-off win

by
New York Yankees, Chad Green

After the New York Yankees shut out the hated Houston Astros in the first two games of the series, the Yankees looked for the sweep. Jameson Taillon coming off his best start of the season, was to face the Astros’ Framber Valdez. With Gerrit Cole’s complete-game shutout last night, the bullpen was completely rested.

DJ LeMahieu led off the game by walking against Valdez. LeMahieu, on a passed ball, tried to advance all the way to third but was called out. Aaron Judge also walked. Gary Sanchez flew out to left field. Giancarlo Stanton chopped over the first baseman for a single, with Judge moving to third. Luke Voit struck out swinging, stranded two. At the bottom, Jose Altuve flew out to Locastro in left. Michael Brantley singled in front of Gardner in center. Yordan Alverez popped out to Urshela. Yuli Gurriel lined out to short to end the inning scoreless.

The top of the second was led off by Gleyber Torres who flew out to right. Gio Urshela singled on a late throw by Altuve. Tim Locastro flew out to right. Brett Gardner got a two-out single to left with Gio holding at second. LeMahieu bounced out to short. At the bottom, Kyle Tucker led off by tapping into the shift. Chas McCormick got hit by a pitch for a free pass. Abe Toro popped out to first. Robel Garcia struck out swinging for another scoreless inning.

Aaron Judge led off the third, striking out. Sanchez walked. Stanton struck out, but Sanchez advanced on a passed ball. Voit walked. Torres lined to left, scoring Sanchez from second. Urshela, with two still on and two outs, struck out, but the Yankees took the lead in the game. Martin Maldonado led off the bottom by homering to right field. Altuve struck out. Brantley flew out to Locastro. Alverez ground out to DJ. Game tied at 1.

Locastro led off the fourth inning, and he provided the Yankees with their second home run. Gardner ground out to Altuve. LeMahieu walked. Judge ground out to short. Sanchez struck out, but the Yankees regained the lead. At the bottom, Gurriel ground out. Tucker walked.  McCormick struck out swinging. Tucker stole second. Toro walked. Tucker stole third.  Toro stole second. Garcia struck out, getting Taillon out of a jam. New York Yankees 2 Astros 1.

Giancarlo Stanton led off the fifth inning by singling to center. Voit walked again. With no outs and two on, Torres singled to left, scoring Stanton for the Yankees’ two-run lead, and that knocked Valdez out of the game. Urshela faced the new Astros pitcher Andre Scrubb and flew out to left, holding the runners. Locastro struck out for the second out. Gardner chased on for the final out of half and stranding two. At the bottom, Maldonado flew out to left. Altuve also flew out to left. Brantley popped out to center for a 1-2-3 inning for Taillon. New York Yankees 3 Astros 1.

LeMahieu led off the sixth against new pitcher Joe Smith and flew out to right. Judge smoked on but right to Altuve. Sanchez struck out swinging for a quick inning for Smith. At the bottom, with Taillon still on the mound, Alverez flew out Gardner in left-center. Gurriel flew out to Judge. Tucker deposited one deep into the right-field stands. Then, McCormick flew out to Judge at the wall.

The seventh inning was led off by Stanton, who faced the Astros’ fourth pitcher Brian Abreu drove on to the warning track in right for the first out. Voit struck out. Torres walked and stole second to get into scoring position. Urshela doubled to center, and Torres scored. Locastro ground out to second, but the Yankees picked up an insurance run. At the bottom, against Domingo, German Toro struck out. Garcia flew out to center. Maldonado struck out for a 1-2-3 inning for German out of the pen. Yankees 4 Astros 2.

Brett Gardner led off the eighth inning, and facing the fifth, Astros pitcher Blake Taylor tapped back to the mound for the first out. LeMahieu walked. DJ moved to second on a passed ball. Judge walked. Sanchez sent a three-run bomb into the upper seats in left. Stanton walked. Voit walked for the third walk of the inning, knocking out Taylor. Torres faced the sixth Astros pitcher Ralph Garza Jr. and struck out. Urshela got another walk. Locastro with the bases loaded and two outs struck out, leaving the bases loaded. At the bottom, with German on for a second inning, Altuve ground out. Brantley singled. Alverez hit into a double play. New York Yankees 7 Astros 2.

Brett Gardner led off the ninth by walking for the Yankees thirteens walk of the game. LeMahieu walked for the fourth time. Judge struck out. Sanchez ground into a double play to end the half. At the bottom, with last licks on the line for the Astros, Gurriel, with German in for the close, singled on a slow roller in the infield. Tucker doubled with Locastro slamming into the left-field wall. McCormick faced reliever Chad Green and got a two-run double off of Green. Toro doubled to Judge, and another run scored. Still, with no outs, Garcia singled to center. Maldonado ground out to short. Altuve hit a home run, driving in three runs, and the Yankees lost the game.

The final score was the Houston Astros 8 New York Yankees 7. The winning pitcher was Ralph Garza Jr., and the loser was Chad Green.