One night after hitting 6 HR in a 20-6 win over Toronto, the Yankees (28-21) kept pouring it on, hitting 7 HR in a 13-2 win over Toronto last (Wednesday) evening.
It was the very first time in franchise history that the Yanks hit six or more HR in consecutive games.
The Yanks have now won seven games in a row.
Backup C Kyle Higashioka hit 3 of those 7 HR. D.J. LeMahieu hit 2.
LeMahieu led off the bottom of the first with a HR (8) to give the Yanks a quick 1-0 lead.
They got two more in the third when Tyler Wade singled and Higashioka hit a 2-run HR (2). 3-0, Yankees.
Clint Frazier led off the bottom of the fourth with a HR (7) to make it 4-0, Gary Sanchez singled, and two outs later, LeMahieu hit his second HR (9) of the game to make it 6-0. Before D.J.’s HR, Higashioka’s out was a long drive. He almost had a four homer game (done just once in Yankees history—by Lou Gehrig).
With Gerrit Cole on the mound, that was more than enough.
Aaron Hicks led off the bottom of the fifth with a single, moved to second on a groundout, and after another out, scored on a single by Frazier. 7-0.
Toronto scored a run in the top of the sixth, when they got their first hit, combined with a WP by Cole, but the Yanks came right back with four runs. With one out, Higashioka hit his second HR (3) of the game to make it 8-1. LeMahieu doubled, and after another out, Hicks walked. Luke Voit then hit a 3-run HR to make it 11-1. Voit’s 19th HR of the season leads the majors.
In the bottom of the seventh, after a walk and a GIDP, Wade walked and Higashioka hit his THIRD HR of the game to make it 13-1.
Nick Nelson gave up a run on a two-out solo HR to Toronto in the top of the ninth. Final 13-2.
Aaron Judge came off the IL, and going down was Thairo Estrada.
Cole (W, 6-3, 3.00) 7 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 W, 8 K. 100TH MLB win. Loaisiga 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 3.00 Nelson 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. Gave up 1 HR. 5.52
It’s the third time Cole was paired with Higashioka and third straight good outing. Personal catcher?
UPDATE: James Paxton has been placed on the 45 day I.L., effectively ending his season. Since he is a free agent at the end of the season (and has a flexor tendon issue right now in his pitching forearm), his Yankees tenure could be over.
The Yankees (27-21) moved back into second place in the AL East with a 6-HR, 20-run drubbing of Toronto Tuesday night. The final score was 20-6.
As it now stands, with 12 games left in the season, the Yanks would be the #5 seed in the AL and would head to Minnesota to play a familiar postseason foe, the Twins.
Before the game, the Yanks sent down to the alternate site Clarke Schmidt, Miguel Andujar and Mike Ford. Coming off the IL were Giancarlo Stanton, Gio Urshela and Jonathan Loaisiga.
After the game, Thairo Estrada was sent back, so it appears as if Aaron Judge comes off the IL tonight.
Deivi Garcia pitched a strong seven innings to pick up his seventh MLB win in his fourth MLB start. Other than Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Lourdes Gurriel, Jr., Garcia didn’t have much trouble with the rest of the Blue Jays lineup.
Luke Voit hit two of the Yankees’ six HR in the game to take over the MLB HR lead at 18. He is a strong MVP candidate.
Guerrero hit a HR off of Garcia in the top of the second to make it 1-0 Toronto.
The Yanks came back with seven in the bottom of the second. With one out, Urshela, who had a great game just coming off the IL, doubled. Clint Frazier reached on an error (Toronto RF Derek Fisher had an awful night), moving Urshela to third. Brett Gardner singled in Urshela to tie the game. After an out, Tyler Wade singled in Frazier to make it 2-1. D.J. LeMahieu singled Gardner to make it 3-1. Luke Voit then hit a 3-run HR (17) to make it 6-1 and Aaron Hicks made it back to back HR with his fifth. 7-1 Yanks.
The Yanks added five more in the bottom of the third to go up 12-1 and the game was basically over. Urshela walked, went to second on a balk, and Frazier walked. Gardner walked to load the bases. Sanchez was HBP, forcing in a run. Wade walked, forcing in another run. LeMahieu cleared the bases with a 3-run double. 12-1.
Garcia gave up a 2-run HR to Gurriel in top of the fourth that cut the lead to 12-3.
The Yanks came right back with four in the bottom of the fourth to make it 16-3. Urshela doubled, Frazier walked, and after an out, Sanchez hit a 3-run HR (8). After another out, LeMahieu doubled, and Voit singled in LeMahieu.
Voit hit a solo HR in the bottom of the sixth (18). 17-3.
In the bottom of the seventh, Urshela singled and Frazier hit a 2-run HR (6). 19-3.
In the bottom of the eighth, LeMahieu hit a solo HR (7). 20-3.
Michael King gave up 3 runs in the top of the ninth. It does appear he needed minor league time this year, but alas, no minors this COVID year, so he is getting a bit of a rude awakening on the MLB level.
Recently I saw some thoughts on the Yankees, and some I agree with, others need more thought. But I thought I would share those and my thoughts with you.
One. Rest? Balls to the wall right now. The person who wrote what I saw questioned why Boone is giving so much rest and off days to players IN A SIXTY GAME SEASON. I have to agree. Not only that, rest because of doubleheaders? The doubleheaders are just seven inning games! I get the injury problems, but how much rest is needed in a sixty game season in which a lot of games so far are seven inning affairs?
Second. The writer wrote to dump Montgomery and go with Clarke Schmidt in the rotation from now on. Ok. Teams haven’t seen Schmidt (0-0, 7.71 in two relief outings) while Monty is 2-2, 5.72. Who knows. Schmidt is more used to starting. Monty hasn’t been good the last few times out. Udecided on this one.
It does look as if Deivi Garcia will have to stay in the rotation. James Paxton has suffered a setback in his forearm problem. This means a few things. One, Garcia in his three MLB starts is 1-1, 3.06. Paxton was 1-1, 6.64 in five starts. But Paxton is a free agent after the year (along with Tanaka), and given this problem and Paxton’s injury history, would you bring him back? I wouldn’t. As for Tanaka, yes. But the biggest free agent that the Yankees HAVE to re-sign is LeMahieu, who as he did last year, is leading the team in WAR (Wins Above Replacement).
Third. The outfield problem. There isn’t a lot that can be done here as long as Judge and Stanton are on the IL. The author of the piece I saw suggested benching Gardner (.165-3-9, OPS+ 65) for Tauchman (.238-0-10, OPS+ 83). Ok, but not a lot of improvement. Hicks (.209-4-13) isn’t helping much either, but at least Hicks (114 OPS+) is drawing walks, leading the team in them.
What this leads to is Clint Frazier. At .288-5-17, OPS+ 159, he has to play everyday. And this means when/if Judge returns, Boone should go with Frazier in LF, Hicks CF and Judge in RF. You can use Tauchman or Gardy for a defensive replacement late for Frazier. As for Gardy, he just turned 37. I don’t expect him back in 2021.
As for Andujar, you can’t afford his lack of OF experience out there right now. He has to play 3b (which he doesn’t do well) or, with Stanton out, DH.
There are only 17 games left. The 22-21 Yankees are clinging to the last playoff spot, only there because of the special circumstances with the CCP virus in 2020.
Balls to the wall.
As for the DH today, fingers crossed. The Yanks are only 2-7 in those 7–inning affairs this year. That has to improve.
And as for Sanchez. Whew. I don’t know what to do there. J.T. Realmuto is a free agent after the season. He’ll be 30 next year. Catchers usually break down at 32, 33. 5 years, $100 Million? Do the Yanks have the $ for him, and if so, would they give up on Sanchez? And what to do with Sanchez.
Excuse me, I have to take an aspirin. Sanchez has been giving me, and I am sure you, headaches this season.
The Yankees/Otioles game scheduled for tonight (Thursday) has been rained out. There will be a DH starting at 4 PM tomorrow.
The Yanks did sign Ryan Buchter and assign him to the extended camp. Buchter, a LH relief pitcher, is 33 and 2-0, 4.50, ERA+ 105 for the Angels this year. For his career (Atlanta 2014, San Diego 2016-2017, KC 2017, A’s 2018-2019 and Angels 2020) he is 17-4, 2.90, ERA+ 146.
When the Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to make what they thought would be a rotation to possibly take them to the World Series, the last thing they probably expected was that they would have two rookies starting a DH in September in the midst of the stretch drive and pennant race.
That they did yesterday, with Michael King starting the first game and Deivi Garcia the second. On top of THAT, Clarke Schmidt made his MLB debut in the nightcap.
Based on very early impressions, it appears that King isn’t quite ready and needs more work in the minors. Unfortunately, there is no minor league season in this crazy year. Garcia looks ready and as advertised. MLB ready now needs more MLB experience. Since it was Schmidt’s MLB debut, the jury is out on him
Another impression, and it isn’t a good one. The Yankees (21-17) may or may not make the postseason this year. Shocking since they were, to a lot of people, the favorites to win the AL pennant. Now, 5 1/2 back with 22 games to go, it looks like they won’t even win the division. At present they are either the #6 or the #8 (and last) seed in the expanded, CCP virus playoffs of 2020. They are tied for 2nd in the AL East with Toronto. One would be #6, the other grabs that last spot.
And, even though you have the injuries to Severino, Paxton, Torres, Judge, Stanton, etc., one other truth is troubling. The pitchers aren’t holding leads.
It doesn’t matter who manager Aaron Boone is bringing in lately. Relievers are giving up leads, and not just one-run leads. It makes Boone and BP coach Mike Harkey look bad, as well as the relievers themselves.
That can’t happen. You get a three-run lead, you should be able to close out the game. Who’d have thought a supposed strength, the Yankees’ bullpen, would be such a problem right now?
Game 1
Before the game, Gio Urshela and Jonathan Loaisiga go on the IL. Coming back up are Miguel Andujar and Miguel Yajure.
The Yanks won this one in extras, 6-5 in nine innings (2020 DHs are 7 inning games).
King gave up a HR to the first batter he faced. O’s up 1-0.
The struggling Gary Sanchez (.135, 44 strikeouts in 96 AB) hit his seventh HR of the season (7 of his 13 hits are HR. All or nothing) to tie the game up 1-1 in the top of the second.
The Yanks got three in the top of the third to go up 4-1. Tyler Wade reached on an error, D.J. LeMaiheu singled, and Luke Voit walked to load the bases. Brett Gardner, also struggling, singled in two runs, then Clint Frazier walked to reload the bases. One out later, MIke Tauchman walked to force in a run.
King coughed up a 2-run HR in the fourth. 4-3.
The O’s tied it up in the fifth, when Ben Heller gave up a HR. After this game, Heller was sent down, replaced on the roster by Schmidt.
Zack Britton almost gave the game away in the bottom of the sixth. He had to escape a bases-loaded, one-out jam.
With extra innings, and that new rule where the inning begins with a runner on second, you are always in a jam right away. Neither team scored in the eighth.
In the top of the ninth, because of PH/PR, and losing the DH, Jonathan Holder, yes, the pitcher, was the runner starting the inning on second base. LeMahieu grounded out, moving Holder up to third. Andujar singled in a run to make it 5-4. Gardner walked and Clint Frazier singled to make it 6-4.
The Orioles got one run in the bottom of the ninth but the Yanks held on to win their 19th straight game at Camden Yards, 6-5.
King 4 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 2 W, 3 K. Gave up 2 HR. 1 HBP. 6.33. 7TH MLB game. Heller 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 W, 0 K. Gave up 1 HR. 3.00 Britton 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 W, 0 K. 3.00 Chapman 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 2 K. 7.20 Holder (W, 2-0, 2.51) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K. Green (S, 1) 1 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 2.89
Game 2
The streak of beating the Orioles came to an end as the Orioles won 6-3.
Garcia did pretty decently, but it was Schmidt, making his MLB debut, who couldn’t close out an inning and that cost the Yankees.
Garcia gave up a 2-run HR in the bottom of the second, and the Orioles were up 2-0.
The Yanks got one run back in the top of the third on a gift run. Tyler Wade singled, advanced to second on a WP, to third on a throwing error by the catcher, and scored on a groundout by Thairo Estrada.
The Yanks took the lead in the fourth. Gardner walked, and two outs later, moved to third on a two-base error. Andujar to second. Erik Kratz singled both runners in.
Hate to say it, but truth is truth. Kratz, a career long backup journeyman, at the age of 40, is far outperforming starting C Gary Sanchez.
In the bottom of the fifth, Garcia got a fly out, walked the next hitter, got a strikeout, then gave up a single.
Then was pulled.
In came Schmidt. If Schmidt gets the batter out, Garcia’s line doesn’t look too bad and the Yanks maintain a 3-2 lead.
Instead, Schmidt gave up three straight hits, allowing four runs to score, and the Yanks were down 6-3. The final score.
After being 1-7 against the Rays this year, and having lost six in a row to them, the Yankees (20-14) finally beat the Rays last night, 5-3. The win puts the 2nd place Yankees 3 1/2 back of the Rays in the AL East.
It didn’t come without controversy. A high and tight fastball by Aroldis Chapman to the last batter of the game called for warnings, and Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash was pretty hot after the game. Both benches cleared after the final out, but no punches were thrown.
We’ll see what happens today. Will there be a warning before a pitch is thrown?
Forget Boston right now. The real AL East rivalry is right here.
D.J. LeMahieu led off the bottom of the first with the first of his two homers of the game to put the Yanks up 1-0. It became 2-0 in the third when D.J. homered (4) again. LeMahieu is leading the AL with a .402 batting average.
In the top of the fifth, Mashairo Tanaka gave up a 2-run HR and the game was tied.
The Yanks got three in the bottom of the sixth. Luke Voit led off with a single, and one out later, Clint Frazier singled. Gio Urshela doubled in two runs and came all the way around to score himself on a throwing error by SS Willy Adames. 5-2.
Adames hit a HR off of Jonathan Loaisiga in the seventh to make it 5-3 but the Yanks held on for the win.
The Yankees (19-14) are 18-7 against everyone else. Good.
And 1-7 against their division rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays, who extended their AL East lead over the Yanks to 4 1/2 games with a 5-3 win at Yankee Stadium Monday night. The Rays have beaten the Yanks six straight.
This is a problem.
Even the Yankees’ ace, Gerrit Cole, is having trouble with the Rays, as he didn’t have it last night and lost the game. The gopher bug has hit him lately.
Cole gave up a 2-run HR to Ji-Man Choi in the first inning as Choi (a one-time Yankee for six games in 2017) seems to own him and the Yanks lately.
Cole gave up another HR in the second. 3-0, Rays.
The Rays got another run in the fifth, in an inning started by a walk to Choi.
Nick Nelson gave up a run in the sixth on an RBI single by, you guessed it, Choi.
Meanwhile, the Yanks didn’t get a hit until the sixth inning.
In the seventh, Gio Urshela homered (6) to cut it to 5-1.
Luke Voit hit a two-run HR (13) in the eighth, 5-3.
At least D.J. LeMahieu came off the I.L. Miguel Andujar went back down.
As for today’s game, when you have a seven-game losing streak, you’ll take a win, no matter how you get it, even as a gift.
The Yanks (17-13, now at the halfway mark) beat the Mets 2-1 Saturday when ex-Yankee Dellin Betances threw a WP that enabled the winning run to score.
J.A. Happ, critical of his usage, and who I challenged a few days ago to pitch better, did so. He went 7 1/3 scoreless innings (about time a Yankees’ pitcher other than Cole gave some length!)
In the bottom of the first, Luke Voit homered (12) to put the Yanks up 1-0. Can you imagine the Yanks w/out him?
But in the eighth, the Yankees’ bullpen failed again as Adam Ottavino gave up a HR that tied the game.
In the bottom of the ninth, Clint Frazier walked and moved to third on a single by Jordy Mercer. When Erik Kratz was going to lay down a squeeze bunt, Betances’ pitch was a WP, ending the game.
Tomorrow’s DH will feature rookie Michael King starting one game and Deivi Garcia, making his MLB debut, starting the other.
Voit solo HR (12)
Happ 7 1/3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 W, 5 K. 4.05
Ottavino 2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K. Gave up HR. 4.22
Chapman (W, 1-1, 13.50) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K.
The Yankees’ bullpen is supposed to be a strength. Yesterday it turned out to be their downfall—twice.
I do have to ask. Earlier this week, Lucas Giolito of the White Sox tossed a no-hitter, and it was not in a 7-inning DH shortened game. A true 9-inning no-no.
So why is it that Yankees’ starters have to get pulled after 65-70 pitches (except for Gerrit Cole) EVEN WHEN THEY ARE DOING WELL?
I like Aaron Boone as a manager, but feel as if he’s cost them a couple of games lately. By losing BOTH games of a DH yesterday, the Yanks fall to 16-13 on the season, and have a 7-game losing streak. They fall 4 games back of Tampa Bay in the AL East, and worse yet, are only 1/2 a game ahead of third place Toronto.
Mets’ announcer Bob Murphy used to describe the “happy” recap after Mets wins. For Yankees’ fans, this will be one sad recap.
First off, another Yankee could be DH bound. Gio Urshela, with bone spurs in his elbow. The Yanks lineup is starting to look like a spring training lineup. Heck, Estevan Florial made his MLB debut. To show how shocking that is, Florial has not even played in AA yet. The lefty hitter is 22 years old. Another heck. Gary Sanchez, hitting .130, had to be the cleanup hitter.
The Yanks brought up Jordy Mercer. Just tured 34, righty hitter. Mostly a SS, some 2b. Has played for the Pirates (2012-2018), Tigers (2019-2020). 162 game average .257-12-54, OPS+ 91 (average is 100). Pirates’ full-time SS, 2013-2018. 7 postseason games, 2 for 14.
Game 1:
In this game, the Yanks took a 4-0 lead by scoring twice in both the bottom of the first and second innings.
In the first, Luke Voit, hitting leadoff (!) singled, and scored on a double by Clint Frazier. Brett Gardner bunt singled, Frazier going to third. Gary Sanchez walked, and there was a wild pitch enabling Frazier to score.
In the second, with two out, Voit doubled and Frazier homered (3). 4-0.
Jordan Montgomery took a shutout into the fifth. With two out, the loss of Urshela bit the Yanks. A HBP, then an error at 3b by Miguel Andujar. A WP by Montgomery. A gift run for the Mets.
Montgomery started the sixth. He gave up back-to-back singles, then Boone had a quick hook. Out after 68 pitches. It seems like Boone is trying to shorten an already shortened game, by bringing into the game, in the sixth inning, guys used to coming in in the eighth inning. It’s backfiring on him.
That or he doesn’t trust starters to go through the order a third time. Being old school, I’m shaking my head seeing pitchers leave after 5 innings of no runs or one-run given up, and only 65-70 pitches thrown. I’d love to talk to, say, Bob Gibson about that.
Anyway, Boone brings in Chad Green (and I understand he didn’t want lefty Montgomery facing Alonso), who gave up the HR to Freddie Freeman that cost the Yankees a 2-1 loss to the Braves on Wednesday. So what does Green do here? Give up not only a 3-run HR to tie up the game, but two more HR after that. 6-4 Mets, which wound up the final score.
The Yankees struck out 13x. In a 7-inning game.
Voit 3 hits
Frazier 2 for 2 with a walk, 3 RBI, a 2-run HR (3)
Florial First MLB hit.
Montgomery 5+ IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 W, 6 K. 4.44
Green (L, 2-2; BS, 2; 3.68) 1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 0 W, 2 K. Gave up 3 HR
Holder 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 2.61
Game 2
Jonathan Loaisiga gave up a run in the bottom of the first (Mets home team in this game) but the Yanks came back with three in the third.
Mercer walked. Thairo Estrada singled him to third. 40 yr. old backup C Erik Kratz singled in a run (is it a stretch to say that Kratz, hitting .357 in his limited time, is outperforming the .130 hitting Sanchez?). After an out, Frazier walked to load the bases. Aaron Hicks singled in one run and Sanchez walked to make it 3-1 Yankees.
I like Loaisiga. With Paxton out, he may help in the starting role, but once again, the Yanks need more from their starters. Loaisiga did a good job but needs to be stretched out more. Pulled after 39 pitches.
Rookie Nick Nelson gave up a run in the fifth.
The Yanks took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh. In came Aroldis Chapman. Walk, then a walk-off 2-run HR. Ballgame. Yanks lose, 4-3.
Frazier 0 for 3, struck out 3x. Did have a walk.
Hicks 2 hits, RBI
Loaisiga 3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 W, 3 K. 2.81. Stretch him out more.
Ottavino 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K. 3.60
Nelson (H, 1) 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 W, 0 K. 7.27
Cessa (H, 1) 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 4.22
Chapman (L, 0-1; BS, 1; 27.00) 0 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 1 W, 0 K. Gave up GW walkoff HR.
Between the IL and the 7-game losing streak, the Yanks are hurting.
Some guys have to start hitting.
Sanchez 10 for 77. .130. Half of his hits HR, but with Judge and Stanton out, his troubles are now magnified. OPS+ 62.
Andujar 4 for 31. .129. All singles. With Urshela day to day with a bone spur, Andujar has to step it up, defensively as well as offensively. OPS+ -20 (MINUS 20).
Brett Gardner is only hitting .183, Aaron Hicks .205, Mike Ford .170.
With guys on the shelf, some other guys, especially Sanchez and Andujar, have to pick it up.
Not only that, but no Yankees’ starter other than Cole is averaging 5 innings/start. That needs to change, too.
After almost a week, the Yanks resumed play and showed rust as they lost the first game of a doubleheader to the Braves, 5-1. (7-inning game).
With the loss, Gerrit Cole’s streak of winning his last 20 decisions came to an end.
He gave up a HR to the first batter he faced. 1-0 Braves.
He gave up two homers and three runs in the third, 4-0 Braves.
Meanwhile, the team wasn’t hitting. In the top of the sixth, Luke Voit homered (11) to break up the no-no and shutout bid. And this by a pitcher making his MLB debut. The Yanks only got two hits in the game.
Cole gave up a run in the bottom of the sixth.
Voit solo HR (11)
Cole (L, 4-1, 3.51) 5 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 2 W, 9 K. Gave up 3 HR.
Cessa 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K. 4.66
Albert Abreu was called up to be the 29th man for the DH.
The Yanks made a deal, getting some catcher depth by sending cash considerations to SF for Rob Brantly. Brantly, 31, is a lefty-hitting catcher who has played 127 games in the majors, with 391 at bats. He has hit .228-7-37, OPS+70. He was sent to the alternate site.
The Mets will be the home game in the nightcaps of the DH games played Friday and Sunday at the Stadium.
