Gio Urshela

New York Yankees News: Red Sox Yankee game postponed due to Covid protocols

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aaron judge, yankees

The New York Yankees Red Sox game has been postponed due to several Yankees players going on the Covid list and protocols. The Yankees were the first team in baseball to get 85% of its players vaccinated for the coronavirus, but the virus is unrelenting and has again raised its ugly head. The postponement was first reported the Buster Olney of ESPN.

Eight Yankees are under Covid protocols, including right-hand hitter Aaron Judge, Kyle Higashioka, and third baseman Gio Urshela. Previously Nestor Cortes Jr. was reportedly also affected by the virus. Few details are immediately available, but as more information becomes known, you will find it here on EmpireSportsMedia.com.

Judge who attended the All-Star game came in contact with Gerrit cole and Yankee closer Aroldis Chapman. Out of an abundance of caution, the Red Sox are also being tested. The entire Red Sox Yankee serious may be in jeopardy.

 

New York Yankees: A tale of two different teams, Mets series takeaways

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New York Yankees, Aaron Boone

Yesterday, the New York Yankees suffered an embarrassing loss in game one of a day-night doubleheader after another loss on Saturday. Still, they salvaged the night game, just another series loss. Yesterday was a microcosm of the whole Yankee season. Down, up, and down again. The Yankees, at the halfway point of the season, are now ten games behind the East-leading Boston Red Sox and are only trailed by the Baltimore Orioles.

The New York Yankees have suffered all season long with poor pitching at times and poor hitting most times. The was evident in yesterday’s two games. In game one, the Yankee pitching completely collapsed, with Yankee ace Gerrit Cole having his shortest outing as a Yankee. Then the bullpen imploded behind him. In game two, the pitching was much better, with Nestor Cortes Jr. getting his first start of the season and Chad Green having one of his best games of the season, resulting in a win. However, the hitting was mostly missing as the Yankees only mustered up eleven hits between the two games.

Game one, Pitching collapses:

Yankee ace Gerrit Cole has been struggling recently and had his shortest outing since being acquired by the Yankees. Cole went only  3.1 innings giving up 6 hits and 4 earned runs, one of them a home run. Giving up long balls has been a problem for him recently. Loaisiga replaced Cole, and Green came in and pitched two scoreless innings.

Then Aroldis Chapman came in for the save as they were ahead 5-4. In his last few outings, Chapman, who has struggled mightily, immediately gave up a home run into the visitor’s bullpen in left to Pete Alonso blowing the save. Then hit a batter, followed by walking one. Next, Boone came to the mound and removed him. He was charged with 3 earned runs. From the game, Boone brought in the usual good Lucas Luetge, who made things even worse, giving up another 3 earned runs for the 10-5 loss.

There isn’t much positive to say about the game. The New York Yankees did get seven hits in the game, but they weren’t timely. The brightest spot in the game is when catcher Kyle Higashioka hit a double, driving in two runs. But, unfortunately, the Yankees hit no home runs.

Game two a different story

The disaster in game one of the doubleheader caused manager Boone to use Michael King in the game. He was scheduled to start the second game, but having to pitch on Friday thrust Nestor Cortes Jr. into a Sunday start. Then, after Justin Wilson gave up 5 runs Saturday, Boone had to call in King to pitch  4 innings for the Yankees, preventing him from getting the start on Sunday.

Reliever Cortes who had pitched 18 innings with an ERA of 1.02, finally got his chance to shine in a start in game two, and shine he did. Cortes Jr. went 3.1 innings for his longest outing of the season, giving up just one earned run while striking out four. Chad Green, who got the win, pitched three scoreless innings, including an immaculate inning in the seventh when he stuck out the side with nine pitches. Nestor Cortes Jr. now becomes an option for future starts.

The Yankees could only make five hits in the game, but the stellar pitching saved the deficient lineup. The hitting star of the game was Gio Urshela hit a two-run homer giving the Yankees the three-run lead.

A tale of two different teams

The New York Yankees at the beginning of the season a the team to beat by baseball analysts. So when they opened the season, winning only 5 for their first 12 games, it was shocking. Unfortunately, that shock has disappeared, and the Yankees have done the same thing all season. They have had good stretches, but bad ones follow them. They tease fans by becoming the Bronx Bombers we all know and then losing the next few games in a row. At the start, the Yankees just could not hit, scoring less than three runs a game. More recently, the Yankees’ pitching has been subpar. With the loss of Corey Kluber, who had a no-hitter, to shoulder problems, the Yankees starting pitching, and even the bullpen has struggled at times.

Now that we are at the halfway point of the season, getting out of the hole the Yankees have dug for themselves seems more and more remote. They are certainly not out of it mathematically, but they have much work to do with being five games out of getting a second wild card slot.

New York Yankees Recap: Cortes Jr. and Green masterful for the Yankees as they salvage last game against the Mets

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The New York Yankees entered the night game of a day-night doubleheader against the New York Mets after a devastating loss to the Mets (10-5) in the day game. The Yankees also lost the first game of the three-game series at Yankees Stadium. However, the Yankees salvaged the last game with excellent pitching. Yankees 4 Mets 2.

Brandon Nimmo led off against the Yankees Nestor Cortes Jr., who had his first nationally televised major league start. Brandon Nimmo struck out. Francisco Lindor lined out to Rougie Odor. Dominic Smith went down looking as Cortes had a 1-2-3 inning for his first start. At the bottom, DJ LeMahieu faced Corey Oswalt and singled. Aaron Judge reached on a force out. Gary Sanchez flew out to Nimmo in center. Giancarlo Stanton ground out for a no-score inning for both teams.

In the second, Pete Alonso led off by popping out. James McCann singled out in front of Gardner in center. Michael Conforto flew out to Gardner. Kevin Pillar lined out to end the half. At the bottom, Luke Voit led off by doubling to center. Rougie Odor avoided the shift and reached. Gio Urshela homered for the Yankee three-run lead. Miguel Andujar walked. Brett Gardner flew out to center field. Andujar was caught stealing. LeMahieu struck out swinging. New York Yankees 3 Mets 0.

The top of the third saw Jonathan Villar at the plate; he struck out. Peraza was out on strikes. Nimmo struck out for another quick inning for Cortes Jr. At the bottom Aaron Judge hit a long out to center. Gary Sanchez went striking out swinging. Finally, Giancarlo Stanton struck out on a foul tip. Yankees 3 Mets 0.

Fransisco Lindor led off the fourth by popping out to Judge. Smith had a one-out double fielded by Aaron Judge, but not in time. Cortes Jr. pitched great and had the longest outing of his season but was replaced by Darren O’Day, who faced Alonso, who two-run homered to the short porch at the Stadium. McCann walked. Conforto back to back walked. Pillar reached on a great catch by Voit but not in time. Villar struck out, but the Mets picked up two runs in the half. At the bottom of the fourth, Luke Voit led off and was called out on strikes. Odor popped out to right-field foul territory. Urshela popped out to first for Oswald’s nine in a row. New York Yankees 3 Mets 2.

Behind one run Jose Peraza led off by striking out swinging to new Yankee pitcher Chad Green. Nimmo struck out for back-to-back strikeouts for Green. Lindor popped back to catcher Sanchez for the final out of the half and gave Green a 1-2-3 inning. Miguel Andujar led off the bottom of the fifth against new pitcher Aaron Loup by grounding out to second base. Gardner walked for the first Yankee baserunner since the second inning. LeMahieu also walked, and that was it for Loup. Judge faced the new Mets pitcher Miguel Castro and ground out to first, but the runners moved up. Gardner scored on a wild pitch. Sanchez struck out on a heater. New York Yankees 4 Mets 2.

The sixth inning was lead off by Smith, who against Chad Green ground out to Odor. Alonso popped out to a charging Luke Voit. McCann, with two outs, struck out as Green puts done six Mets in a row. The bottom was led off by Stanton, who flew out to center. Voit went down on strikes. Odor also struck out. New York Yankees 4 Mets 2.

With last licks on the line for the Mets, Aaron Boone decided to bypass Aroldis Chapman, chose Chad Green to close out the game in the seventh. Michael Conforto was Green’s seventh put-out. Kevin Pillar was his fifth strikeout. Jonathan Villar ended it as Green struck out the side for the save. The final score was the New York Yankees 4 and the Mets 2. The winning pitcher was Chad Green, and the loser was Corey Oswalt.

The Yankees take the red-eye tonight as they fly out to Seattle for a three-game set against the Mariners after a day off tomorrow.

New York Yankees Recap: Yankees lose four straight to the Red Sox

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New York Yankees, Domingo German

Tonight the New York Yankees renewed their rivalry with the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston. Martin Perez of the Sox faced Domingo German of the Yankees. It was a beautiful night in bean town with a game-time temperature of about 68, and the game was played under sunny skies. Before the game, the Sox celebrated the career of iconic second basemen, Dustin Pedroia. The Yankees lost the game 5-3.

DJ LeMahieu led off for the Yankee and ground out on the first pitch. Aaron Judge hooked one down to the Pesky pole for the second out. Gary Sanchez stuck out for a fast inning for Perez. At the bottom, Michael Chavis faced Domingo German and singled to right. Alex Verdugo singled down the middle. JD Martinez flew out to Judge in center holding the runners. Chavis stole third. Xander Bogaerts doubled, driving in Chavis and Verdugo for the early two-run lead for the Red Sox. Rafael Devers went down on strikes. Hunter Renfroe hit one off the green monster, and that drove in Bogaerts for the three-run lead. Kike Herandez struck out, but the Red Sox did the damage with 3 runs scored. Red Sox 3 Yankees 0.

Giancarlo Stanton led off the second inning by walking. Luke Voit singled up the middle as Stanton moved to second. Gleyber Torres went down on strikes. Gio Urshela singled to load the bases. Miguel Andujar went down looking. Clint Frazier walked in a run. LeMahieu had a two-run single to right, and two Yankee runs scored to tie up the game at 3. Judge ground ou to third, but the Yankees matched the Sox and tied the game. At the bottom, Christian Vazquez singled. Marwin Gonzalez went down swinging. Chavis flew out to Frazier in right. Verdugo grounded out to end the inning. New York Yankees 3 Red Sox 3.

Gary Sanchez led off the third inning by grounding out to third. Stanton singled to left. Luke Voit singled, moving Stanton to second. Torres’s struggles continued as he hit into a double play ending the half. JD Martinez led off the bottom by walking. Martinez went to second on a passed ball. Bogaerts flew out to Andujar. Devers hit back to the mound, but German bobbled the ball, and Devers reaches, and Martinez went to third. Renfroe flew out to Judge by the sac fly, scored Martinez. Hernandez ground out to third. Red Sox 4 Yankees 3.

At the top of the fourth, Gio Urshela hit one off the green monster for a double. Andujar singled, and Urshela took off for home but was out at the plate. Frazier flew out to center. LeMahieu faced the new pitcher Hiro Sawamura and hit into the force to end the half. Vazquez led off the bottom, and he flew out to Frazier. Gonzalez hit back to German, who fielded it. Chavis flew out to Andujar at the green monster to end the inning. Red Sox 4 Yankees 3.

Aaron Judge led off the fifth by hitting one deep but for an out. Sanchez walked. Stanton struck out swinging for the second out. Then, Luke Voit went down on strikes. At the bottom, Verdugo faced Lucas Luetge, and he ground out second. Martinez popped out to LeMahieu. Bogaerts flew out to Judge in front of the left-field wall to end the inning. Red Sox 4 Yankees 3.

At the sixth, Gleyber Torres led off and ground out to short. Urshela was out swinging. Andujar singled to right. Frazier struck out swinging as he continued his slide. Devers led off the bottom and struck out swinging. Renfroe walked. Hernandez swung and missed. Vazquez walked, and that did it for Luetge. Gonzalez faced the new Yankee pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga and flew out to Judge in center to end the inning. Red Sox 4 New York Yankees 3.

It was the top of the lineup for the Yankees in the seventh inning. DJ LeMahieu led off by grounding out to Devers at short. Judge also grounded out to Devers. Sanchez ground out for a quick half for Whitlock. The bottom of the inning saw Chavis at the plate; he reached on a wild pitch. Verdugo went down on strikes. Martinez went down on strikes. Bogaerts struck out for a four-strike-out inning, only the third time it has been done in Yankee history. Red Sox 4 New York Yankees 3.

At the top of the eighth, Stanton faced ex-Yankee Adam Ottavino and struck out. Voit stuck out against his former teammate. Torres lined out to center to end the half. The bottom was led off by Devers facing the new Yankee pitcher Zack Britton, and he popped out to LeMahieu in shallow center. Renfroe at the plate he left the mound with an injury had he hobbled back to the dugout. Renfroe faced the new Yankee pitcher Luis Cessa and walked; it was charged to Britton. Hernandez ground out to Urshela, with Hernandez moving to second. Vazquez got a base hit to center, driving in Hernandez for the 2 run Sox lead. Gonzalez singled to left, moving Vazquez to second. Chavis struck out, but the Red Sox got an insurance run. Red Sox 5 New York Yankees 3.

With last licks on the line for the Yankees, Matt Barnes, the Sox closer, faced Gio Urshela, who got an infield single. Miguel Andujar singled to left, moving Urshela to second. Tyler Wade was pinch-running for Andujar. Frazier struck out on a good at-bat. Urshela left the game and was pinch-run by Brett Gardner. Lemahieu hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game and give the win to the Boston Red Sox. The winning pitcher was Garrett Whitlock, the loser was Domingo German and the save went to Matt Barnes.

Yankees: Gio Urshela injury update after going down against Kansas City

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gio urshela, yankees

With the New York Yankees returning Luke Voit on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals, they finally gained back a significant portion of their offense and a player who led the MLB in 2020 with 22 homers. However, Voit was pulled after a few innings of work as skipper Aaron Boone tried to mitigate any further setbacks.

However, with the Yankees desperately trying to extract a win against the Royals, they ended up blowing it in the eighth inning, as Kansas City rallied, scoring three runs due to a poor outing from Jonathan Loaisiga. He gave up five hits and four earned runs over 0.2 innings after a solid performance from Gerrit Cole, where he lasted 7.0 innings and allowed three hits and two runs.

In the defeat, starting third baseman Gio Urshela was hit by a pitch in the right shin, and while he stayed in the game, it was clear he was progressively getting worse, forcing Boone to extract him.

After being plunked in the right leg, Urshela stayed down briefly before walking to first base but was clearly favoring his left leg, indicating something potentially more serious.

Hopefully, nothing too serious for Gio:

“We’ll see,” Boone told reporters. “He got hit by the pitch and I think it just kind of stiffened up. Obviously, a little bit of a cold, wet night. We’ll see how he’s doing.”

In all likelihood, Urshela is probably dealing with a serious bruise, which could keep them out for a few days but otherwise shouldn’t constitute an injury list spell. In the defeat, Gio recorded two hits over four at-bats, elevating his average to .273 this year.

The Yankees will take on the Royals on Wednesday evening in an attempt to get back in the win column after winning five of their last six games prior to the loss on Tuesday.

New York Yankees: 3 Major takeaways from Yankees win over the Athletics

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New York Yankees, Gary Sanchez

Last night the New York Yankees had a gutsy comeback win over the Oakland Athletics. They won the game 7-5 in one of the most exciting games of the season. After four and a half innings, the Yankees were behind 4-0. After that, they clawed their way all the way back for a win in the eighth inning. What made this game so exciting was not only a comeback, but it was a total team effort. It was a win that broke the backs of the A’s, breaking their seven-game winning streak.

A pitching saga unfolded

Domingo German started yesterday’s matinee game for the Yankees after a disastrous start back on June 13, when he gave up seven runs in just 4.1 innings. For the second game in a row German was ineffective, giving up four runs in as many innings. German has been the Yankee’s second-best starter this season, but he didn’t have it in the last two starts as he continued to give up home runs. He gave up two home runs, walked two, and struck out 6 in his four innings of work.

But the pitching story yesterday was not about German; it was about the gutsy performance of Nestor Cortes Jr., who stopped the bleeding and kept the Yankees in the game. He, without a doubt, was the unsung hero of the game. Without his effort, the Yankees couldn’t have come back in the game.

After Matt Olson singled, driving in two more A’s runs in the fifth, German was pulled from the game. With men on the corners and no outs, new pitcher Nestor Cortes faced pinch hitter Laureano, who struck out, Chapman also struck out. Murphy flew out as Cortes limited the damage. He would continue to pitch for three scoreless innings, only allowing one hit and giving the Yankees time to come back for that win.

Yankees come alive with 11 hits

The New York Yankees couldn’t do much against the A’s starter Chris Bassitt. Once they got into the bullpen, the Yankees came alive with 11 hits. They got two runs off of Burch Smith and three runs off of Jesus Luzardo, who took the loss in the game. The Yankees’ power started when Gary Sanchez homered in the sixth that knocked starter Bassitt out of the game. Gio Urshela got his 9th homer of the season in the eighth, winning the game for the Yankees.

As I said earlier, it was a team effort. Clint Frazier got two doubles in the game. Judge, LeMahieu, Stanton, and Urshela all had RBI’s. After Nestor Cortes Jr.’s stellar performance, Chad Green came in and pitched a scoreless inning striking out all three batters he faced, paving the way for Aroldis Chapman’s save.

Is Gary Sanchez becoming a Yankee star again?

The is no question that Gary Sanchez has been the most maligned New York Yankee player in the last few years, causing many fans to say he should be replaced. Sanchez was once a Yankee star. In 2017 he had 33 home runs, 90 RBI’s, and batted .278. He was an All-Star, MVP candidate, and a Silver Slugger. After that performance, he was projected to be the next big Yankees star.

But, that was not to be; from that point on, his performance in front and behind the plate deteriorated until a low point last season when he hit only .147 and was mostly replaced by backup catcher Kyle Higashioka even in the postseason. No matter how bad he was, the Yankees continued to show their support for the catcher by awarding him a one-year contract, stating that he would be the starting catcher. After a couple of weeks of poor play, he again lost that position, with Higashioka catching Cole and Kluber.

This season up to two weeks ago, there was only marginally better performance as his struggles at the plate continued. But nineteen days ago, a new Gary Sanchez showed up. In his last 19 games, he has hit six home runs, appears far more comfortable at the plate, hitting an improved .229 batting average. He also, in the period, has 7 extra-base hits. Should he continue at this torrid pace, he could become the Yankees’ next big star again.

 

New York Yankees Recap 6/19: Yankees have a gutsy comeback win in the Bronx

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New York Yankees, Nestor Cortes Jr.

The New York Yankees met up with the Oakland Athletics today at a hot and humid Yankee Stadium for the second game of the weekend series. Last night the Yankees lost to the A’s 5-3 in a hard-fought contest. Today Domingo German started against the A’s Chris Bassitt. Being the weekend and 100% capacity allowed, the Yankees were hoping for a big crowd at the Stadium in the Bronx. Yankee fans were delighted with an amazing comeback win for the Yankees 7-5.

With German on the mound to start the game, Mark Canah hit the first pitch for an out to left field. Tony Kemp went into the short porch at the Stadium for a solo shot. Matt Olsen popped out, and Mitch Moreland struck out swinging to end the half. At the bottom, DJ LeMahieu flew out to right. Aaron Judge scorched one to center, but Kemp caught it on a dive. Gary Sanchez hitting third for the first time since 2019, struck out on a questionable high ball. Athletics 1 Yankees 0.

The top of the second was led off by Matt Chapman, who struck out swinging. Sean Murphy also struck out swinging. Seth Brown got a single just over the head of Odor. Chad Pinder struck out for German’s third strikeout of the inning. At the bottom, Giancarlo Stanton got a lead-off walk. Gleyber Torres singled to right, moving Stanton to second. Gio Urshela hit into a double play caused by splinters from his broken-bat, blinding him. Stanton went to third. Rougie Odor flew out, so the Yankees, with men on first and second and no outs, failed to score. A’s 1 Yankees 0.

Elvis Andrus led off the third inning by lining in front of Frazier to a single. Andrus stole second. Canha ground out to short, Andrus went to third. Kemp ground out. Olson flew out to Frazier in left to end the half. Clint Frazier led off the bottom by striking out. Gardner popped out to the left infield. LeMahieu ground out to allow three scoreless innings for Bassitt. A’s 1 New York Yankees 0.

Moreland led off the top of the fourth, and he struck out swinging for German’s 5th strikeout of the game. Chapman homered to the right-field bullpen. Murphy walked. Brown went down on strikes. Pinder with one on and two outs ground out to short. At the bottom of the fourth, Aaron Judge led off by singling to center. Sanchez had a towering out to center. Judge advanced to second of a wild pitch. Stanton walked for the second time in the game. Torres, with two on and only one out, popped out to the infield. Urshela hit up the middle as Judge scored to put the Yankees on the board. Odor, with two on and two outs, struck out. Athletics 2 Yankees 1.

To lead off the fifth, Andrus singled, Canha singled. Kemp walked to load the bases with no outs. Olson, with 19 home runs on the season, singled, driving in two runs, and Kemp going to third. Now he struck out with men on the corners, and the new pitcher Nestor Cortes faced pinch hitter Laureano. Chapman also struck out. Murphy flew out as Cortes limited the damage. Frazier led off the bottom by doubling off the left-field fence, falling short of a home run. Gardner struck out. LeMahieu ground out to third. Judge struck out, stranding Frazier at second. Athletics 4 Yankees 1.

Brown led off the sixth by flying out to left field. Pinder lined out to Frazier. Andrus flew out to Gardner in left-center for a 1-2 3 inning for Cortes Jr. Gary Sanchez led off the bottom of the sixth by hitting a home run, his 6th in his last 19 games. Stanton singled. Torres ground out, but Stanton went to second. Urshela struck out swinging. Odor struck out to strand Stanton. Athletics 4 Yankees 2.

To lead off, Canha struck out. Kemp ground out. Olson singled. Laureano walked. Chapman stuck out as Cortes did a superb job for the Yankees. Frazier faced the new A’s pitcher Burch Smith, and he doubled for the second time in the game. Gardner trying to continue the rally, had an infield fly out. LeMahieu, with one on and one out, ground out to second. Aaron Judge singled driving in Stanton from third. Sanchez, with one on and two outs, drew a walk. With two on and two outs, Stanton faced the new A’s pitcher Yusmeiro Petit singled to drive in Judge and tie the game up at 4. Torres ground out, but the Yankees came all the way back to tie up the game. New York Yankees 4 Oakland A’s 4.

The top of the eighth saw Chad Green on the mound facing Murphy, who struck out. Brown struck out. Pinder stuck out looking as Green struck out the side. At the bottom of the eighth, Urshela homered for his 9th of the year and provided the Yankees the go-ahead run. Gittens pinch-hitting walked. Clint Frazier walked. Brett Gardner bunted out, but the runners advanced to second and third. The A’s brought out another pitcher, Sergio Romo; he faced DJ LeMahieu, who singled, driving in two runs for the 7-4 Yankee lead. Aaron Judge at the plate LeMahieu got picked off at first. Judge ground out to end the inning, but the Yankees scored 3 runs to go ahead of the A’s. New York Yankees 7 and the Oakland A’s 4.

With last licks on the line for Oakland, closer Aroldis Chapman took to the mound to face Andrus, who struck out swinging. Canha walked on two bad calls, and Boone argued and got thrown out of the game. The computer showed that both pitches were strikes. Jed Lowrie pinch-hitting flew out to Judge. Matt Olsen singled when Chapman dropped the ball at first. Laureano, the tying run, singled, driving in Canha. Now Chapman against Chapman, he struck out on a 103 mph fastball from Aroldis Chapman.

The final score was the New York Yankees 7 the Oakland Athletics 5. The winning pitcher was Chad Green, the loser Jesus Luzardo. The save went to Aroldis Chapman as the Yankees beat the number two team in baseball.

 

New York Yankees: 3 Major takeaways from Yankee’s sweep of the Jays (video)

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New York Yankees, Giancarlo Stanton

Tuesday, the New York Yankees stumbled into Buffalo to play three games against the Toronto Blue Jays, playing just over .500 baseball. They were swept by the Red Sox, failed a sweep of the Minnesota Twins, and swept by Joe Girardi’s Philadelphia Phillies. Concern was mounting that the Yankees couldn’t get out of their own way. Meanwhile, manager Aaron Boone and General Manager Brian Cashman said this is not the team we are. We are better than this. The Yankees seemed to come alive in this series, with the Blue Jays, with the hitting and the bullpen leading the way as they swept the rival Blue Jays in three games. The score yesterday was 8-4.

Michael King was adequate

You can’t say that Michael King was stellar in last night’s game, but he was adequate in keeping the Yankees in the game. He went into the fifth inning, giving up three earned runs. In the game, King got his sinker working and was saved by inducing ground-outs. Upon King’s exit, the bullpen did their work allowing only one run in 4 2/3 innings.

Yankees made great plays

The New York Yankees got a little help in the game last night as the Blue Jays played some pretty sloppy baseball. Not so with the Yankees. The Yankees have been criticized for poor baserunning, and rightly so, but the Jays hit into a triple play that was highland by some pretty bad moves on the base paths. Guerrero’s grounder to King turned into a triple play.

Toronto runners Bo Bichette and teammate Marcus Semien were caught close together at third base. LeMahieu acted quickly. he fired to shortstop Gleyber Torres. Torres saw Semien take off for home; he threw the ball to Sanchez, who fired to Urshela, who tagged out Semien. Urshela instantly threw to Torres, who tagged out Bichette to complete the triple play. It is seldom that you see a 1-3-2-6-5-6 triple play. Other than the unconventional play, the Yankee’s second triple play this season was the first time the Yankees have had two in the same season.

In another great play, right fielder Aaron Judge climbed the right-field wall to rob the Blue Jays of a home run. Judge is always an excellent defender, but in the sixth inning, Judge made that known when he reached over the wall in right stole a two-run homer away from Cavan Biggio. If Judge hadn’t made the play, the Jays would have gone three ahead; instead, it remained a one-run game. However, Giancarlo Stanton erased that in the next inning with his own two-run homer. Gio Urshela also homered in the game.

Gleyber Torres exits with back stiffness

Torres left last night’s game slightly limping and did not come out to play in the next inning; instead, Rougned Odor took over at second base, and Tyler Wade took Torre’s place at shortstop. It’s unclear how the injury occurred; it may have been a bad slide. Later Meredith Marakovits stated that Torres left the game with back stiffness. Manager Boone feels it is nothing too serious but will be further evaluated back in New York today.

New York Yankees Recap: Urshela and Stanton show their power in sweep of the Blue Jays

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New York Yankees, Giancarlo Stanton

Tonight at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, NY., the New York Yankees went for the sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees won the first two games 6-5 and last night 3-2. Michael King was on the mound for the Yankees and T.J. Zeuch for the Blue Jays. The Yankees really needed this win tonight to show that they can right the ship and compete in the AL East. The Yankees completed the sweep 8-4 in a game that saw the year’s Yankees’ second triple play.

In the first inning, Zeuch faced DJ LeMahieu, who he chopped to short for the first out. Aaron Judge singled on a bad throw from third. Gleyber Torres went down on strikes. Giancarlo Stanton walked, bring up Gary Sanchez, who ground out to short to end the half and leave two on base. At the bottom, Marcus Semien led off by walking. Bo Bichette got a base hit moving Semien at second. the runners moved up on a passed ball. Vlad Guerrero hit into the Yankee’s second triple play of the season to end the inning. No score.

At the second, Gio Urshela led off by singling down the left-field line. Brett Gardner singled, moving Urshela to second base. Miguel Andujar singled on a ball thrown into center. Urshela scored. Tyler Wade singled, but Gardner caught running to home for the first out. LeMahieu walked the bases full. Aaron Judge struck out on a hanging slider. Torres ground out to short, leaving the bases loaded, but the Yankees got the lead in the game. At the bottom, Randal Crichuk struck out to lead off the half. Cavan Biggio singled. Tellez ground out Gurriel Jr. hit into a double play to end the inning. New York Yankees 1 Jays 0.

At the top of the third, Stanton singled. Sanchez flew out to short. Urshela hit a two-run homer over the left-field fence. Gardner ground out to first. Andujar flew out to shallow right. But the Yankees when ahead 3 runs when Urshela went yard. The bottom was led off by Rowdy Tellez, who ground out to short. Santiago Espinal walked. Resse McGuire got an RBI double. Semien singled. Bichette, with men on the corners singled but on an errant play by Wade, was not about to run the double play scoring McGuire. Guerrero ground out to Urshela, but the Jays got two runs in the inning. New York Yankees 3 Blue Jays 2.

Tyler Wade led off by flying out to left field. LeMahieu reached on a bad throw. Judge walked. Torres was pinch-hit by Rougie Odor popped out to the infield for two down. Stanton struck out to end the half. At the bottom, Grichuk ground out. (Wade at short and Odor at second) Biggio ground out. Gurriel ground out to Urshela, ending the inning. Yankee 3 Jays 2.

The top of the fifth was led off by Gary Sanchez, who ground out. Urshela struck out swinging. With Gardner coming up, the new pitcher was Tayler Saucedo in his major league debut. Gardner flew out to center as they went down in order. At the bottom, Tellez ground out. Espinal reached on a throw that pulled DJ off the bag. McGuire faced the new Yankee pitcher Lucas Luetage; he doubled to left. Semien, with two on and one out, ground out but scored the tying run. Bichette struck out, ending the tied inning. Yankees 3 Jays 3.

Leading off the sixth was Miguel Andujar, who struck out a very questionable strike call. Wade hit back to the pitcher, and that was it for Saucedo in his debut; Anthony Castro replaced him. LeMahieu got a multihit single to right. Judge struck out swinging to end the half. Vlad Guerrero Jr. led off the bottom by grounding out. Chichuk, against the new Yankee pitcher Chad Green, singled for an RBI single for the Jays to take the lead. Biggio hit a long one caught by Judge at the top of the right-field wall, saving a two-run hit. Gurriel hit into a force for the second out. Tellez went down on strikes to end the inning. Jays 4 Yankees 3.

At the top of the seventh, Odor singled sharply. Giancarlo Stanton got a two-run 424′ homer to left. Sanchez singled. Urshela singled. Gardner, against the new pitcher Tim Mayza, had a sac out, moving the runners up. Andujar was gunned down on an excellent throw. Chris Gittens pinching hitting for Wade got a two-run single for the Yankees. Lemahieu faced yet another Jays pitcher Tyler Chatwood, and he ground out. The Yankees picked up three runs.  At the bottom, Espinal went down on strikes. (Gittens moved to first, LeMahieu to 3rd, and Urshela to shortstop). McGuire singled. Semien faced new pitcher Loaisiga and singled. Bichette struck out looking. New York Yankees 7 Blue Jays 3.

Going on to the eighth, Aaron Judge struck out. Rougie Odor hit to the warning track in center for the second out. Stanton ground out to short. At the bottom,  popped out to Gittens in foul territory. Chrichuk facing ground out. They ended the half scoreless, as did the Yankees. The Yankees tacked on another run in the top of the ninth. Zack Britton came on to close it out for the Yankees in the bottom of the ninth, allowing no hits and a double play for the Yankees 8-4 win.

The winning pitcher was Chad Green, and the Loser was Anthony Castro. The New York Yankees now go on to home-field advantage against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium tomorrow night.

New York Yankees: 3 Takeaways from Yankees failure to sweep

by
New York Yankees, Aroldis Chapman

On a sweltering night in Minneapolis at Target Field, the New York Yankees took to the field after winning two night’s in a row with the hope of sweeping the Minnesota Twins. It looked possible through the first eight innings, but in the ninth inning, the usually dependable Aroldis Chapman completely lost his focus. The final score was the Twins 9 and the New York Yankees 5.

Michael King has an okay start

Michael King entered last night’s game against the Twins looking for his first win of the season after being brought up from Scranton to help fill in for Corey Kluber, who had a shoulder problem. So far, including last night, he is winless, having taken the loss in 3 Yankee games. He has been either a reliever or starter in 8 games this season; the Yankees only won one of those games.

Last night before King even took the mound; he was rewarded with a 3 run lead after Giancarlo Stanton hit a three-run homer off ex-Yankee pitcher J.A. Happ. At the bottom, King gave a run back when Nelson Cruz had a sac fly. King gave up another earned run in the fourth, and with 69 pitches manager, Boone took him out of the game. King has not gone deep into any game this season. The Yankees still could have won the game, but closer Aroldis Chapman allowed four runs in the ninth.

Closer Aroldis Chapman imploded in loss

The normally dependable Aroldis Chapman uncharacteristically imposed and gave up four runs. Throwing only nine pitches, Polanco singled, then Donaldson followed with a homer. Gordon singled and Cruz got the second home run of the inning for the four runs in the inning and the Yankee loss.

Chapman had been lights out this whole season. Going into last night’s close, he had 22 appearances giving up just one earned run and with an ERA of 0.39. His four runs allowed last night in his 23rd game brought his ERA up to 1.96

Yankees continue to hit the ball

The New York Yankee’s lineup continued their recent hitting streak, having 12 hits in the game last night. That’s four straight games with double-digit hits. There was a good sign in last night’s game; the recently dormant DJ LeMahieu had two hits. Giancarlo Stanton continued his hot play with a 3 run homer. Gio Urshela had a long ball and his first triple of the season. Judge, Torres, and Sanchez also had hits in the game. Miguel Andujar continued his hot hitting ways, hitting two hits and getting an unusual walk. He raised his batting average to .271.

Notes:

Former New York Yankee Bernie Williams played the National Anthem on his guitar before the Yankees game in Minnesota last night.

Sanchez had another base running mistake in the sixth running to third.