It was so close to being cut to 1 1/2 games. So close.
The Yanks had a 6-1 lead. They took a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the ninth in Baltimore. Meanwhile, Toronto took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth up in Boston.
With two out, Dellin Betances walked a batter and gave up a game-winning 2-run walk-off HR to the Orioles’ Manny Machado. It was Machado’s second HR of the game.
Meanwhile, Boston won 3-2 in 19 innings. Instead of cutting the lead to 1 1/2 games, the Yanks fall 3 1/2 back. Ouch.
With two out in the first, CC gave up a run on a walk, infield hit, WP and another infield hit.
The Yanks struck for six in the third, but couldn’t tack on. Romine singled, and after an out, Judge walked and Castro was HBP. Didi singled in two, 2-1 Yanks. Holliday walked to re-load the bases. Bird hit a sac fly, E-8 on Adam Jones, everyone moves up, everyone safe. 3-1. Todd Frazier grounded out, run scored, 4-1. Ellsbury singled in two, 6-1.
But the Yanks gave it all back. CC gave up a HR in the bottom of the third to Machado. 6-2.
He gave up a HR in the fifth to Yankee-killer Schoop. 6-3.
I would NOT have had CC start the sixth inning, and was surprised and angry when he did. My fears and anger were justified when he gave up a 2-run HR to Mark Trumbo to make it 6-5.
Pulls Montgomery early on Labor Day (puts in Green, right move) but doesn’t pull CC for Warren when the situation was about the same? I don’t know how Warren was feeling or anything, but….
I don’t know how Yankees fans around the country feel, but living close enough to NY to get WFAN and hear the Yankees fans there, I can say that there are a lot of Yankees fans not happy with Joe Girardi’s managing. This is the last year of Girardi’s contract.
One reason is this: his constant over managing. Guy comes in, pitches well, and he pulls the guy after one inning. Too often, by doing this, you eventually find the guy who doesn’t have it that night and blows the game. Guy doing well, leave him in! I’ve written that how many times this year.
Too many cooks spoil the soup.
It is one reason the Yanks’ real record is eight games worse than their expected record based on runs scored vs. runs allowed. It is one of the reasons they are 15-24 in one-run games. They are 3 1/2 back of Boston. If they were 19-20, not even .500 in those one-run games…. you can do the math.
So Kahnle gets two outs. Robertson only pitches one inning, 11 pitches. Same with Chapman, one inning, 11 pitches. Then instead of letting Robertson go two, or Chapman two, Girardi brings in Betances, who blows the game.
Joe. Simple concept. Guy does well, not many pitches, leave him in for another inning.
Stop over-managing.
Castro 2 hits.
Gregorius 2 RBI
Ellsbury 2 hits, 2 RBI
Tyler Austin was brought up from SWB.
Sabathia 5 1/3 IP, 5 R, 8 H, 1 W, 3 K. Gave up 3 HR. 3.91
Kahnle 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K. 2.82
Robertson 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H. 0 W, 1 K. 2.24. Threw just 11 pitches and pulled.
Chapman 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 4.02. Threw just 11 pitches and pulled.
Betances (BS, 3; L, 3-6, 2.73) 2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K. Gave up GW HR.
So close to cutting it to 1 1/2. So damned close.
…and Boston was caught using illegal technology to steal Yankees’ signs recently. We’ll see about any ramifications for that.
Paul Schaal, a 3B for the Angels (1964-1968, 1974) and Royals (1969-1974) passed away Sept. 1, age 74. His best year was 3B for the 1971 Royals, .274-11-63, OPS+ 129. For his career, .244 with 57 HR. 162 g. average .244-8-46, OPS+ 99.
The Sommer Frieze 
