Game 56. A stinker. Yanks lose, 14-1.

This was a stinker in many ways. The Yanks only got four hits and only scored one run, that on a passed ball. They made four errors, two by Gary Sanchez. They gave up 14 runs in losing to Toronto, 14-1, Wednesday night.

They have to clean up their act before the playoffs start next week. Even Luke Voit compared them to the Bad News Bears last night.

In one of the innings, they loaded the bases with no one out and didn’t score.

It got so bad that backup C Erik Kratz had to pitch…. again. His second pitching appearance in less than a week.

And the defense could be the Yanks’ Achilles heel come playoff time. Despite excellent defensive players like D.J. LeMahieu and Gio Urshela, the Yanks’ fielding percentage ranks as one of the worst, if not THE worst in the AL this year, and is the Yanks’ worst since 1988 (from a NJ.com article). Besides Sanchez, Gleyber Torres also is at fault, as Torres is a better 2B than SS, but LeMahieu is at 2B. Besides Sanchez’ two errors, another error last night was made by Torres.

You really have to wonder at this point if the Yanks are better off just going with Higashioka the rest of the way. His defense is unquestionably better than Sanchez’, and his bat, normally far worse, is much better at the present time, especially after Sanchez went 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts last night to drop his batting average to a ghastly .143.

With a Rays win and the Yanks’ loss, the Rays clinched the AL East title. Minnesota has jumped over the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central lead, so at present the Yanks are the #5 seed, two games behind the White Sox with four games to go. Should it stay like this, the Yanks play the White Sox, all three games in Chicago, in the best-of-3 first round.

Masahiro Tanaka gave up two runs right away in the first inning. One was unearned because of a Sanchez error.

The Yanks’ only run came in the top of the second. Luke Voit walked, then with one out, Aaron Hicks walked. Gio Urshela singled to load the bases. Voit scored on a PB. With a chance to tack on, Sanchez struck out and Clint Frazier flied out.

The Blue Jays got an unearned run, courtesy of Torres’ error, in the third, then scored two more in the fourth, helped along by an error by Luke Voit.

Toronto got eight in the sixth to break the game wide open, four runs coming off of Tyler Lyons, who was making his first appearance of the season. Sanchez made his second error (catcher interference) in this inning.

LeMahieu 2 hits, .360. 2 of the Yankees’ four hits.
Both Sanchez and Giancarlo Stanton were 0 for 4, 3 strikeouts.

Tanaka (L, 3-3, 3.56) 4 IP, 5 R, 3 ER, 8 H, 3 W, 5 K. Gave up 1 HR.
Cessa 1 1/3 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 1 W, 1 K. 3.74
Lyons 1 2/3 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 1 W, 0 K. 1 HBP, 21.60 Season debut
Kratz 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 9.00. Gave up 1 HR. Backup C.

Game 54. Yanks lose, 11-5, hurting odds for postseason home games.

The Yanks don’t seem to like Buffalo too much. Buffalo is the COVID-19 induced “home” of the Toronto Blue Jays this year, and in the games played there this year, the Yanks haven’t fared too well.

Last night the Yankees (31-23) lost 11-5, dropping them 1 1/2 games behind the Twins for that #4 playoff seed. There are only six games left. The Twins at 33-22 have five games left. If things stay like this, the Yanks will not have a home playoff game. All three games in the first round would be in Minnesota and if the Yanks advance, they then head to the “bubble” in California for the ALDS and ALCS. The WS will be at another neutral bubble in Texas. The Yanks are 21-7 at Yankee Stadium this year, 10-16 on the road.

The lack of a minor league season has really hurt Michael King. Hopefully he can learn from his MLB experience this year but it is becoming apparent he needed more minor league time to develop–minor league time not available during this COVID dominated year. Sending someone to the alternate site isn’t the same as sending them down for AAA games.

King, 25, had 15 games at AA (6-3, 3.14) and 10 games at AAA (7-1, 2.30) so 25 games equals basically a full season of AA or higher experience. Nice records but the majors are different. He’s 1-2, 7.76 in the majors this season. More minor league experience would have helped, but it just isn’t there this year.

The Yanks scored first, getting a run in the top of the second. With one out, Gleyber Torres walked. Aaron Hicks walked, and Gio Urshela singled in Torres.

King gave up five runs in the bottom of the third, the last two coming in when Jonathan Loaisiga gave up a double allowing two inherited runners to score.

Loaisiga, good this year until last night, then gave up four runs in the bottom of the fourth. 9-1.

Nick Nelson, a pitcher in the same boat as King, gave up a HR in the bottom of the sixth. 10-1 Toronto.

The Yanks got a run in the top of the seventh. Torres led off with a walk, moved to third on a double by Hicks and scored on a groundout by Urshela. 10-2.

Chad Green gave up a HR in the bottom of the seventh. 11-2.

The Yanks got three in the top of the ninth. With one out, Urshela singled. With two out, both Brett Gardner and Tyler Wade walked. With the bases loaded, Mike Tauchman doubled all three runners home.

I haven’t cared too much for C Gary Sanchez’ pitch selection at times this year (in addition to Sanchez’ low batting average), and in reading a recent article, it seems manager Aaron Boone was questioning Sanchez the other day about it too. It will be interesting to see if Kyle Higashioka catches Gerrit Cole again tonight. Has Higgy become Cole’s personal catcher? Will we see that in the postseason? Tonight will be Cole’s last start before the postseason, Game 1 of the first round vs. (it appears to be) the Twins.

LeMahieu 2 hits (.365)
Tauchman 3 RBI
Urshela 2 hits, 2 RBI

King (L, 1-2, 7.76) 2 2/3 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 1 W, 6 K.
Loaisiga 1 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 W, 0 K. 3.86
Nelson 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 W, 2 K. 5.09 Gave up 1 HR.
Green 1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K. 3.80 Gave up 1 HR.
Ottavino 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K. 6.06

Game 51. Yanks win 9th straight, 6-5 in 12.

The Yanks (30-21) were down 4-0 at one point. They were one out away from losing the game in nine innings, came close to losing it in extras, but pulled out a 6-5, 12-inning win over Boston Friday night.

It was the Yankees’ ninth straight win.

Starter Jordan Montgomery gave up a 3-run HR to Christian Arroyo in the fourth inning and Boston was up 3-0. The Red Sox got another run in the fifth and were up 4-0.

Meanwhile, the Yanks’ bats, so hot in those last three games at home against Toronto, had cooled off in Fenway.

The Yanks finally scored in the seventh when they cut Boston’s lead to 4-2. Giancarlo Stanton walked, and after a strikeout and force out, Aaron Hicks singled Gleyber Torres to second. Gio Urshela walked to load the bases and Gary Sanchez hit a ground rule double to drive in two runs.

With one out in the top of the eighth, Aaron Judge singled and scored on a double by Stanton.

Down to their last out, with two outs in the top of the ninth, Sanchez tied the game with his tenth HR of the season.

So the game went into extra innings, with those rules in which the half-inning starts with a guy on second.

Both teams got the runner over to third in the tenth, but neither could score.

In the top of the eleventh, Mike Tauchman started the inning at second and was singled in by Luke Voit.

But Boston tied it in the bottom of the eleventh. After tying the game, the Red Sox had the bases loaded with one out, but Jonathan Loaisiga got out of it.

In the top of the twelfth, Hicks started the inning at second base. Gio Urshela singled him to third, and after two strikeouts, D.J. LeMahieu doubled in a run to put the Yanks up 6-5.

Boston got the tying run to third in the bottom of the twelfth, but could not score him.

Final 6-5, Yanks.

With nine games left in the regular season, it doesn’t appear the Yanks, 3 1/2 back of Tampa Bay, will catch the Rays. It’s the Yanks own fault for going 2-8 against Tampa Bay this year. But they did move 3 percentage points ahead of the Twins for the 4th seed in the virus-caused expanded playoff race, important because the #5 seed would have to play all three games in the best-of-3 first round at the #4 seed. The Yanks are 30-21, .588 and the Twins are 31-22, .585.

LeMahieu GW RBI
Hicks 2 hits
Sanchez 2 hits, solo HR (10), 3 RBI

Montgomery 4 2/3 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 W, 7 K. Gave up 1 HR. 5.12
Cessa 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 W, 1 K. 2.45
Ottavino 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 6.46
Britton 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K. 2.12
Green1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K. 3.63
Chapman 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 2 K. 3.72
Loiasiga (W, 3-0; BS, 2; 2.70) 2 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K.

Just a thought. You have defensive replacements for the infielders and outfielders, like subbing Gardner or Tauchman for Frazier, or putting Wade at 2B while moving LeMahieu to 1B to sub for Voit.

Something to think about. If the Yanks are using 3 catchers, why then not sub Higashioka, better defensively than Sanchez, in those extra-inning games where a WP or PB can kill you? Especially in an extra-inning POSTSEASON GAME?

I don’t see Montgomery starting a postseason game. Not when he is sitting with a 5.12 ERA while Cole is at 3.00, Tanaka 3.27, Garcia 3.28 and Happ 3.96.

Albert Pujols passed Willie Mays on the all-time HR list last night with HRS 661 & 662. The top five are now Barry Bonds, 762*; Henry Aaron 755; Babe Ruth 714; Alex Rodriguez 696*; Pujols 662. Mays is next at 660 . Also with 600 or more are Ken Griffey, Jr. at 630, Jim Thome at 612 and Sammy Sosa at 609*. (Asterisks mine).

Game 50. 5 HR within 6 batters! Yanks set records in 10-7 win.

Six consecutive batters. Five HR among those six.

Five HR in the same inning.

First team in MLB history to hit six or more HR in three consecutive games.

There’s mashing, and there is MASHING.

The Yanks (29-21) won their eighth straight game, 10-7 over Toronto Thursday night (and it wasn’t that close. Toronto got 4 in the top of the ninth) and by sweeping the three game series against the Blue Jays, opened up space between them and Toronto. Not only that, the #5 seed (as of now) Yankees are just one game behind the #4 seed (as of now) Twins. That is the difference between having all three games in the first round be at home or on the road.

The scores in this three game bludgeoning of Toronto were 20-6, 13-2 and 10-7. As mentioned, if Jonathan Holder does his job last night instead of being sloppy, that last game would have been 10-3.

The Yankees got two runs in the first inning when D.J. LeMahieu walked, Luke Voit doubled him to third, and Aaron Hicks walked to load the bases. Giancarlo Stanton singled in one run, and the second scored when Gleyber Torres GIDP.

Masahiro Tanaka gave up two runs in the top of the third, one on a solo HR by Lourdes Gurriel, Jr., and the game was tied.

Then, in the bottom of the fourth, came a power show you had to see to believe. You’ve never seen anything like it before.

With one out, Clint Frazier walked. Gary Sanchez doubled to make it 3-2.

Then…

Brett Gardner homered (5). 5-2.
D.J. LeMahieu homered (10). 6-2. Back-to back HR.
Luke Voit made it three HR in a row (MLB leading 20th). 7-2.

Aaron Hicks struck out.

Giancarlo Stanton homered (4) 8-2.
Gleyber Torres homered (3) 9-2. Back-to-back HR.

Six straight batters. 5 HR. Three in a row, then after a strikeout, back-to-back. Wow.

Gurriel hit another HR off of Tanaka in the fifth. 9-3, Yankees.

Sanchez homered (9) in the bottom of the seventh to make it 10-3 and enable the Yanks to set the record of first team with six or more HR in three consecutive games.

As mentioned above, things got sloppy in the top of the ninth. Jonathan Holder couldn’t do his job to close it out and Aroldis Chapman was needed to do so. Final 10-7.

The Yanks now go to Boston to hopefully put a lot of dents into the Green Monster or the seats above it.

LeMahieu (.373) solo HR (10) Leads MLB in BA, OPS+, AL in OBA, OPS
Voit 2 hits, solo HR (20—leads MLB) also leads AL in SA.
Stanton 4 hits, 2 RBI, solo HR (4)
Torres solo HR (3)
Sanchez 2 hits, 2 RBI Solo HR (9)
Gardner 2 hits, 2 RBI. A 2-run HR (5)

Tanaka (W, 3-2, 3.27) 7 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 0 W, 5 K. Gave up 2 HR.
Ottavino 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K. 6.91
Holder 1/3 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 2 W, 0 K. 4.08
Chapman (S, 3) 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K. 4.15

Game 48. 6 HR, 20 runs. Yanks move into 2nd with 20-6 win.

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.

LeMahieu 4 hits, solo HR (7), 5 RBI. .363
Voit 3 hits, 2 HR (MLB leading 18), 5 RBI.
Hicks solo HR (5)
Urshela 3 hits
Frazier 2 hits, 2-run HR (6)
Sanchez 4 RBI, a 3-run HR (8)
Wade 2 RBI

Garcia (W, 2-1, 3.28) 7 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 2 W, 6 K. Gave up 2 HR
King 2 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 W, 1 K. 6.75

Gerrit Cole pitches for the Yankees (who have won six straight) tonight. There are 12 games left in this shortened season.

Thoughts after a rainout.

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.

Game 39. Dominating start turns into 6-1 loss.

Gerrit Cole started out the game dominating, retiring the first eleven hitters in a row, eight by strikeout.

He took a shutout into he sixth, but the Yankees (21-18) had not scored either.

Then it all fell apart. D.J. Stewart hit a HR to lead off the bottom of the sixth, 3B Thairo Estrada made an error that led to four unearned runs, and Baltimore got five runs in the inning.

The way the Yankees’ offense has been recently, that was enough. The Orioles went on to beat the slumping Yankees, 6-1. The Yanks, once 16-6, are now 21-18, having lost 12 of their last 17 games.

Stewart hit another HR, this one off of rookie Miguel Yajure, in the seventh. 6-0 Orioles.

The Yankees’ only run came on an eighth inning HR by Clint Frazier. The Yankees struck out 12x. Gary Sanchez was 0 for 4, all strikeouts.

The Yanks were 0 for 9 w/RISP. Forget about HR, just try to make contact.

Frazier 2 hits, solo HR (5)
Higashioka 2 hits

Cole (L, 4-3, 3.66) 6 IP, 5 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 W, 10 K. Gave up 1 HR.
Yajure 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 2 K. 1.80 Gave up 1 HR.

---

Nothing set in stone, but I read reports that the Yanks may be thinking of moving their AA team from Trenton to Bridgewater, NJ. 

Games 37 and 38. Yanks split DH with O’s.

• 

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.

LeMahieu 2 hits
Gardner 2 hits, 2 RBI
Frazier 2 hits, 1 RBI
Sanchez solo HR (7)

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.

The Yanks only got four hits in this game.

Kratz (see above) 2 hits, 2 RBI, .348

Garcia (L, 0-1, 3.38) 4 2/3 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 W, 6 K. 1 HBP. 2ND MLB GAME
Schmidt 1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 W, 1 K. 1 HBP. 13.50 MLB DEBUT

Games 31 and 32. Yanks go extras in both games, sweep Mets in DH.

The Yankees (19-13) used a miraculous comeback to win the first game of a DH, then struggling Gary Sanchez hit a grand slam to enable the Yankees to gain the sweep in Game 2.

Both games were won in 8 innings, extra innings what with the 2020 Covid rules for a DH. (7-inning games, extras start w/man on second).

Game 1

Down 7-2 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Yanks scored five in the bottom of the seventh and once in the eighth to win 8-7.

In the bottom of the first, D.J. LeMahieu walked, was doubled to third by Luke Voit, and scored on a groundout by Mike Tauchman.

The Mets got two in the top of the fourth to go up 2-1, but the Yanks tied it in the bottom of the inning when Mike Tauchman walked and Mike Ford doubled him home.

Ex-Yankee Robbie Cano hit a 2-run HR in the top of the fifth to put the Mets up 4-2. The Mets got three more runs in the top of the sixth to go up 7-2.

Then, in the bottom of the seventh, the comeback. Ford reached on an error, and got back to the bag safely to avoid being doubled up when Brett Gardner lined out. Gio Urshela flied out for the second out. Down 7-2, things looked dire. Ford advanced to second on defensive indifference and Tyler Wade walked. Thairo Estrada was HBP to load the bases. Luke Voit singled to make it 7-4. Estrada should have been out at third to end the game but the 3B dropped the ball. WHEW. A WP made it 7-5. Aaron Hicks then tied the game with his third HR of the season.

In the bottom of the eighth, with the new rules, Tauchman started the inning at second base. Gary Sanchez flied out and Ford walked. After Brett Gardner flied out, Gio Urshela singled in Tauchman to win the game.

Voit 2 hits, 2 RBI
Hicks 2-run game-tying HR (3)
Urshela GW hit

KIng 3 2/3 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 W, 3 K.   6.23
Kriske 1 1/3 IP, 5 R, 2 H, 3 W, 4 K.  2 WP.    20.25  Gave up 1 HR.
Heller 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 W, 4 K. 1.93
Green (W, 3-2, 3.45) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 3 K.

Game 2

Deivi Garcia was brilliant in his MLB debut. At 21, he was the youngest Yankee starter since Phil Hughes in 2007.

The Yanks went up 1-0 in the top of the third (Mets home team in this one) when Tyler Wade hit his first HR of the season.

Garcia took a shutout into the bottom of the sixth. The Mets tied it up on a single after Luke Voit made a two-base error.

In the top of the eighth, Brett Gardner started the inning at second, and Clint Frazier walked. After a flyout moved both runners up, Tauchman was intentionally walked. Sanchez, now hitting just .134, PH for Erik Kratz and hit a grand slam for his sixth HR of the season. Of Sanchez’ 11 hits this year, six are HR.

The Mets got a run in the bottom of the eighth and had the bases loaded but the Yanks held on to win 5-2.

Sanchez Grand Slam (6)
Wade solo HR (1)

Garcia 6 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 W, 6 K.   MLB DEBUT
Holder (W, 1-0, 2.25) 1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 W, 2 K.
Cessa (S, 1) 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.  4.09

 

 

 

Games 28 and 29. Yanks’ bullpen implodes as both DH games lost. Losing streak hits 7.

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.