Game 114. Yanks pummel O’s again, 14-2. Open up 10 game lead.

Pregame News: Stephen Tarpley sent down, Chance Adams called up for a fresh arm.

Good news on Gleyber Torres. MRI negative, listed as day-to-day. Thairo Estrada was “on call” just in case.

As for the game, the Yanks (75-39) won their 8th straight as they continue to pummel Orioles pitching. This time the score was 14-2, and the Yanks hit 5 HR in the game.

The Yanks have hit 52 HR vs. the Orioles this year, breaking the record of 48 that the 1956 Yanks hit against the Kansas City Athletics. They still have four games against the Orioles—at home, August 12 (Day/night DH), 13 and 14. The Yankees have 11 players with multi-homer games against Baltimore this season, breaking the record of 10 set by San Francisco against the Dodgers in 1958 (I’m sure the LA Coliseum with its 251′ LF line had a lot to do with that). The Yanks also have the record for most homers at a ballpark by a visiting team in one season (43). (Some info from ESPN). They were 10-0 at Camden Yards this year and have won 15 straight there.

How bad has it been for the Orioles? Consider this. Greg Bird has been hurt most of the season. He was 6 for 35 in 10 games. His only HR of the year was against the Orioles.

Troy Tulowitzki got hurt and retired after going 2 for 11 in five games. HIS only HR of the season and the last of his career came against…. the Orioles.

With the win, the Yanks now have a 10 game lead over Tampa Bay in the AL East. They are 41-14 against teams in their own division. Granted Baltimore and Toronto are awful, but they are still 23-9 vs. Tampa Bay and Boston.

With one out in the fourth, Gio Urshela doubled, and Didi Gregorius singled him to third. Cameron Maybin’s popup should have been caught, but fell in for a single and a 1-0 Yankees’ lead. Kyle Higashioka hit a three-run HR (2), his first of two for the game, and the Yanks were up 4-0.

Yanks’ starter James Paxton gave up a HR in the fourth that cut the Yanks’ lead to 4-1, but otherwise was sharp.

In the fifth, Aaron Judge reached on an error and Gio Urshela hit a 2-run HR (13), HIS first of two for the game, and the Yanks were up 6-1.

They got five more runs in the sixth. Mike Tauchman walked and advanced to second on a ground out. He went to third on a WP and D.J. LeMahieu singled to make it 7-1. LeMahieu went to second on another wild pitch, and Aaron Judge singled to make it 8-1. Urshela then hit his second HR of the game (14) to make it 10-1. Didi Gregorius singled and went to third on a single by Cameron Maybin combined with a throwing error. Didi scored on a groundout by Brett Gardner. 11-1.

In the top of the ninth, Maybin led off with his 7th HR of the year, then Gardner doubled and Higashioka hit his second HR of the game (3) to make it 14-1.

Baltimore got a run in the bottom of the ninth for the final score of 14-2.

Urshela 3 hits, 4 RBI, 2 HR (14) .319 …. LeMahieu is at .335
Gregorius 2 hits
Maybin 4 hits, 2 RBI, solo HR (7)  .327
Gardner 2 hits, RBI
Higashioka  2 HR (3),  5 RBI

Paxton (W, 7-6, 4.40) 6 2/3 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 W, 7 K.   Gave up 1 HR.
Adams 2 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K.  6.61

Ernie Bowman, an infielder who appeared in two WS games against the Yanks in 1962, passed away at the age of 84. He played with the Giants 1961-1963 and in 165 MLB games hit .190 with 1 HR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Game 107. Yanks win game 7-5, but do they lose out at the trade deadline?

The Yanks (68-39) beat Arizona today, 7-5, but it seems like they won the game but lost out big at the trade deadline.

I’ll have another post dedicated to what happened or didn’t happen regarding the trade deadline.

Before the game, the Yanks put Luke Voit (sports hernia) and David Hale (lower back problem) on the IL. Voit’s could be a problem. If he requires surgery, he could be out six weeks, meaning not back until mid-September.

As for Greg Bird (sorry if I am shaking my head, or even laughing), he isn’t even close. He isn’t even doing baseball activities yet.

To replace Voit and Hale on the roster, the Yanks called up infielder Breyvic Valera and reliever Jonathan Holder.

As for the game.

The Yanks got two runs in the bottom of the second off of Zack Greinke (and there will be a lot about Greinke in the other post—teaser alert) when Gio Urshela doubled and Mike Tauchman hit his seventh HR of the season.

With the bases loaded and two out in the top of the fourth, Urshela made a great defensive play to save two runs. He would make another great play in the ninth.

Arizona scored three runs in the fifth and in so doing, knocked Tanaka from the game.

There was a slight rain delay, and it knocked Greinke out after five innings. Greinke soon would find out he was traded to Houston.

In the bottom of the seventh, Tauchman doubled with two out and Austin Romine hit a 2-run HR (4) to give the Yanks a 4-3 lead.

The Yanks got three more in the eighth. Aaron Judge and Edwin Encanacion got back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, with Judge going to third on Edwin’s single. Didi Gregorius grounded out, all runners advancing, and in Judge’s case, scoring. 5-3. Gleyber Torres doubled, 6-3. After Gio Urshela made an out, Cameron Maybin singled in Torres, 7-3.

Nestor Cortes, Jr. came in for the ninth, faced one batter, and gave up a HR. He was pulled for Aroldis Chapman, who gave up a run himself, but eventually closed out the 7-5 win.

Tauchman 2 hits, 2 RBI, 2-run HR (7)
Romine 2 RBI, 2-run HR (4)

Tanaka 4 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 3 W, 4 K.  4.78
Green 1 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 W, 0 K.    5.06
Kahnle 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K.  2.68
Ottavino (W, 4-3, 1.53) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K.
Britton (H, 20) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K.  2.45
Cortes, Jr. 0 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K.  Gave up HR to only batter he faced.   4.39
Chapman (S, 27) 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 W, 1 K.  2.81

 

Game 73. Sanchez and Torres power CC to win #250 as Yanks sweep Rays, 12-1.

CC Sabathia became the 14th pitcher in MLB history with 250 wins and 3000 strikeouts when the Yanks routed Tampa Bay 12-1 this afternoon.

All of the other pitchers, save for Roger Clemens, are in the Hall of Fame.

With the three game sweep of the Rays, the Yanks (46-27) opened up a 3 1/2 game lead over the Rays in the AL East.

The Yanks struck early, knocking out defending AL CYA winner Blake Snell in the very first inning. Snell only recorded one out.

D.J. LeMahieu led off with an infield single, stole second, and Luke Voit walked. Gary Sanchez then hit a 3-run HR (21) to make it 3-0. Edwin Encarnacion then walked, and after Aaron Hicks hit into a forceout, both Gleyber Torres and Cameron Maybin walked to load the bases. Gio Urshela was HBP to force in a run and make it 4-0, and after Brett Gardner popped up for out #2, LeMahieu singled in two runs to make it 6-0.

CC gave up a run in the fifth, but the Yanks struck for another six-run inning in the seventh.

After Gardner struck out, LeMahieu and Voit each walked. Sanchez doubled in a run to make it 7-1. Encarnacion singled to make it 8-1. Hicks walked to load the bases, then Torres hit a grand slam. HR #16 on the season was Torres’ first career grand slam. 12-1.

LeMahieu 2 hits, 2 RBI .315
Sanchez 2 hits, 3-run HR (21), 4 RBI
Torres grand slam HR (16), 4 RBI

Sabathia (W, 4-4, 4.14) 6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 3 W, 7 K.  WIN #250 OF HIS CAREER.
Holder 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 2 K.  4.93
Cessa 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 3 K.  5.73

Aaron Judge should return to the Yankees Friday, making for an interesting decision who he replaces on the roster.

Good news on Severino and German in their progress rehabbing their injuries.

Not so good on Jordan Montgomery (MRI on shoulder needed) and Dellin Betances.

The Yanks released Danny Farquhar from his minor league deal. Farquhar was trying to come back after suffering a brain aneurysm while pitching for the White Sox last year.

In discussing Greg Bird’s problem when he does get better (players have passed him on the depth chart and there isn’t room for him in the majors, AAA or maybe even AA!) I left off one first baseman…. Ryan McBroom is doing well at AAA. So you have Voit, Encarnacion, Ford, McBroom, Logan Morrison, Chris Gittens…

 

Minor League Report. Judge Homers on Rehab for SWB. Deivi Garcia shines for Trenton.

AAA: SWB (40-28) won 8-4. Rehabbing RF Aaron Judge 1 for 2, solo HR, 2 walks, strikeout.  It’ll be a tough decision who goes when Judge returns soon.

1B Mike Ford (.320-16-38) solo HR. CF Mike Tauchman 3-run HR. C Kyle Higashioka solo HR). (Ford, Tauchman and Higashioka all homered in the first inning, Tauchman and Higashioka going back-to-back). SS Tyler Wade 2 hits. 2B Thairo Estrada 2 hits.

As mentioned in the other post, with Voit, Encarnacion, Ford here, and Gittens (AA), Greg Bird is finding himself squeezed out. Heck, former major leaguer Logan Morrison, here at AAA SWB, HIMSELF is squeezed out.

Randall Delgado 3 R in 6 IP for the win.

AA: Trenton (38-27) won 6-0 on a 2-hit shutout. Wait until you see the numbers Deivi Garcia put up. 1B Chis Gittens (see mention above) 2 hits, 2 RBI. C Kellin Deglan 2 hits. CF Rashad Crawford 2 hits, RBI.

Ok, ready for the numbers for the 20 year old Garcia, who the Yanks are VERY HIGH on?

Garcia (W, 3-2, 3.00) 6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 15 K.  

Wow.

Combined with 3 relievers, Trenton struck out 19.

High A: Tampa (29-39 overall) split. They lost the completion of Monday’s suspended game, 6-4 in 10 innings. CF Estevan Florial 2 hits. 1B Dermis Garcia 3 hits, RBI.

They won the regularly scheduled game, 6-5, getting six in the top of the seventh and last inning (if DH, minors go only 7 innings). DH Florial 2 RBI. 1B Garcia 2 hits, 2 RBI. CF Pablo Olivares 2 hits.

Low A: Charleston off, because the South Atlantic League had their all-star game. Charleston’s Division, the South, lost 6-2.

Charleston players: PH/LF Brandon Lockridge 1 for 2, 2 -run PH HR for the South’s only runs.

PH/DH Mickey Gasper 0 for 2.  LF Canaan Smith 1 for 2.

Not a good night for one of the pitchers.

P Alexander Vizcaino (L, BS, 1) 1/3 IP, 5 R, 3 H, 1 W, 1 K.

 

Game 72. Maybin homers in fourth straight game as Yanks win 6-3.

It’s a good thing Tanaka threw a complete game Monday, because the bullpen was needed Tuesday night.

Although he got the win, J.A. Happ only went the minimum five innings, and four relievers were needed to close out the Yanks (45-27) 6-3 win over Tampa Bay. It is the Yanks’ fourth consecutive victory.

The win puts the Yanks 2 1/2 up on the Rays in the AL East. Boston lost in 17 innings, so the Red Sox are 6 1/2 back.

Cameron Maybin (a most difficult decision when Judge comes back, what do the Yanks do?) homered for the fourth consecutive game, and Edwin Encarnacion got his first Yankees’ HR in the win.

The Yanks scored in the bottom of the first when D.J. LeMahieu singled, Luke Voit walked, Aaron Hicks grounded into a force out and LeMahieu scored on a SF by Gary Sanchez.

Happ gave up a run in the second inning and another in the third and the Rays had a 2-1 lead.

In the fifth, the Yanks scored three runs to go up 4-2. With one out, Gleyber Torres singled, and Maybin singled Torres to second. LeMahieu singled to tie the game, and Voit’s single put the Yanks up 3-2. After Hicks struck out for out number two, Sanchez’ single made it 4-2.

Tommy Kahnle gave up a HR in the seventh and the Yanks’ lead was cut to 4-3.

But in the bottom of the seventh, Maybin homered (5) to make it 5-3, and in the bottom of the eighth, Encarnacion’s 22nd HR (and first as a Yankee) made it 6-3.

The Yanks have an afternoon game today.

In seeing Voit’s success and the acquisition of Encarnacion, not to mention how well Mike Ford is doing at AAA and Chris Gittens at AA, there is a glut of 1B/DH, and you wonder where Greg Bird even fits in now, if at all.

I do wonder why Hicks (.204, hasn’t got it going yet since coming off the IL) is still batting third.

In a forerunner of what is probably to come, Stanton was removed for defense (Gardner) late in the game.

LeMahieu 2 hits, RBI (.313)
Voit 3 for 3 w/a walk, RBI
Sanchez 2 RBI
Encarnacion solo HR (22, first as a Yankee)
Maybin 3 hits, solo HR (5, has homered in four straight games) (.315)

As mentioned, when Judge comes back, how can you just DFA Maybin? Tough call.

Happ (W, 7-3, 4.59) 5 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 0 W, 3 K.
Ottavino (H, 15) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 2 K.  1.69
Kahnle (H, 13) 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 W, 2 K.  Gave up 1 HR.   2.93
Britton (H, 14) 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K.  2.67
Chapman (S, 19) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 3 K.  1.30

 

 

 

 

 

Game 22. Yanks, one strike away from winning in 12, win in 14, 4-3.

An error and a wild pitch helped the Yanks (12-10) win a marathon, 4-3, over the Angels Monday night in a game that lasted 14 innings and ended after 2 A.M. Eastern Time.

The Yanks were one strike away from winning 3-2 in 12, but Aroldis Chapman hit a batter and gave up a game-tying single after that.

The Yanks got the first run of the game in the first on a Luke Voit HR (5).

J.A. Happ gave up a 2-run HR in the second to Jonathan Lucroy and the Angels took a 2-1 lead. Happ was good, otherwise. Maybe he is coming around after a rough beginning to the season.

Kyle Higashioka opened the third for the Yanks with a double and later scored on a SF by Gleyber Torres (after a couple of walks) to tie the game at two.

That’s where it stood until the twelfth, when Clint Frazier doubled to lead off the inning, advanced to third on a groundout, and after a walk to Mike Ford, Gio Urshela hit a SF to put the Yanks up 3-2. Urshela would be heard from again later.

But in the bottom of the twelfth, with two out, a man on second, and two strikes, Chapman hit the batter, then gave up the game-tying single. On we go.

In the 14th, Gleyber Torres struck out but reached on a throwing error by Lucroy. After Frazier struck out, Torres reached second on a WP. (Thanks, Angels for the gifts). Mike Tauchman struck out and the Angels intentionally walked Ford, once again, to get to Urshela, and once again, their strategy backfired. Torres stole third, and Urshela then singled him home with what proved to be the game-winning run.

Urshela is known for his glove, not his bat, and he has made a couple nice defensive plays this year, including last night. But he is hitting well for the Yanks so far. (.297). So it’s funny to see the Angels walk Ford (.071, just one MLB hit since being called up) twice to get to Urshela. At least Gio delivered both times.

Urshela 2 hits, 2 RBI.

Happ 7 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 W, 5 K. Gave up 1 HR. 5.96
Ottavino 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 W, 0 K. 2.77
Kahnle 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.  2.16
Cessa 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 W, 1 K.  1.74
Chapman (BS, 1) 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K. 1 HBP.  3.00
Holder (W, 1-0, 5.54) 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 3 K.

It’s early, but one thing I’m concerned about already is Ottavino. He’s pitching well, but it seems like, with Betances out and Green and Holder (until last night) struggling, that Ottavino is in there everyday. I’m worried about Ottavino burning out eventually.

After opting out of his contract, the Yanks did give Gio Gonzalez his release.

The Yanks did sign Brad Miller for depth, mostly a SS/2B/1B, the lefty hitter, 29, is a .240 hitter who does have some pop. He hit 30 HR for Tampa Bay in 2016. I hate to say this, but with this move, and also with the earlier move in getting Mike Tauchman, you have to wonder if the Yanks aren’t all that high on Tyler Wade, who still hasn’t proven he can hit MLB pitching. Otherwise, if they were sold on Wade, why would they make these moves? Eventually a player runs out of chances, and you have to wonder if Wade and/or Greg Bird is reaching that point. Just being honest, here.

Game 16. Yanks belt Boston 8-0 behind Paxton and 3 HR. Bird to DL, Ford up.

James Paxton and Mike Tauchman hadn’t done too much in their brief stints as Yankees before last night but that all changed in an 8-0 win for the Yankees (7-9) over Boston.

Paxton showed the ace-like quality he may possess in pitching eight innings of shutout baseball, giving up just two hits and striking out 12.

This is the Paxton the Yanks traded for. There were rumors that earlier this season he was tipping his pitches. Well, he sure corrected that last night in a dominating performance.

Tauchman, a reserve OF pressed into service because of all the injuries, drove in four runs and hit his first MLB HR.

The Yanks got two in the third on a double by Gardner, who scored on a two-out single by LeMahieu. After a walk to Judge, Voit singled in LeMahieu.

Clint Frazier led off the fourth with his fourth HR of the season. Two outs later, Austin Romine singled and scored on a double by Tauchman.

Tauchman hit a 3-run HR in the sixth, his first MLB HR, to make it 7-0, and Gleyber Torres homered in the seventh (4) for the final score of 8-0.

Aaron Judge had 2 hits, and Gio Urshela made a great defensive play.

Paxton (W, 2-2, 3.91) 8 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 W, 12 K. 1 HBP
Harvey 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 0 .00

 

Earlier in the day, Greg Bird was placed on the DL with a torn plantar fasciitis. It’s been a rough go for Bird, who always appears to be injured. He’ll be out a while. He was struggling this season, going just 6 for 35 (.171) with only one extra base hit. His HR was his only RBI. In his 35 at bats, he had struck out 16x.

Sad to say, but eventually the Yanks have to wonder what to do with Bird. If he’s always hurt, he isn’t helping you. Eventually, the Yanks may have to cut the cord with him.

To replace Bird, the Yanks called up Mike Ford, lefty-hitting 1B, from AAA. Ford is a “Yankee Doodle Dandy” born on the 4th of July who turns 27 this July. In 10 games for AAA SWB this season, Ford was hitting .410 with 5 HR and 14 RBI.

Last season, in 102 games for AAA SWB, Ford hit .253-15-52. In 2017, between AA/AAA, he hit .270-20-86 and drew 94 walks. (126 games, 101 at AA).

For Mike Ford, opportunity knocks.