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 41. 10-run inning dooms Yanks, 12-7.

Lately, it seems like every move Aaron Boone is making is backfiring on him.

Especially when it comes to the bullpen.

Right now, Brian Cashman is with the team, and after last night’s 12-7 loss, I wouldn’t be surprised if heads roll after this season.

Watching part of the YES postgame show, it seemed like ex-Yankee and current YES broadcaster John Flaherty had a couple of criticisms, and was more critical than normal.

In the line of fire would be pitching coach Matt Blake, bullpen coach Mike Harkey and even manager Boone himself.

Blake had no coaching experience before getting the pitching coach job this year and was a bit of a surprise choice to replace the fired Larry Rothschild (now with SD).

You may argue that maybe going with David Cone, who interviewed for the job, may have been a better choice.

I wonder if the Yankees need to take a good, hard look at how their pitching philosophy has or hasn’t worked lately. One reason they have been coming up short has been their rotation. Just getting Cole may be like putting a band-aid on what seems to be a bigger problem.

When you lose 14 of 19, and have free-falled your way into clinging to the 8th and last playoff spot (and that spot is only there because of the virus of 2020), you can expect fans not to be happy on Twitter. And, it appears, there isn’t much happiness on the YES postgame show or in the front office. I would guess Hal isn’t too happy either.

Injuries are one thing, but bad play is another.

If ever there is a time for a good ripping into a team to wake them up, now is the time.

The Yanks (21-20) took a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth, only to see Chad Green and Adam Ottavino give up 10 runs in what turned out to be a 12-7 loss.

Flaherty, on the postgame show, wondered why Boone stayed with Ottavino (who didn’t record an out, all six batters scoring) so long. He also criticized Boone’s body language during the inning. Just an observation, but Flaherty’s words sounded like someone angling for Boone’s job. They were quite critical, and you may add, harsh.

But this was really bad. It’s one thing to lose 14 of 19 in a 162 game season, but in a 60 game season? We’re talking 1/3 of the season here.

The Yanks got back-to-back HR from Luke Voit (14) and Aaron Hicks (4) in the top of the first to take a 2-0 lead.

But as has been their wont lately, the Yankees’ pitchers, Jordan Montgomery in this instance, gave runs right back, and Montgomery joined the cast of Yankees’ starters not giving any length, thus putting more pressure on a failing bullpen.

Montgomery gave up a run in the first, another in the second, and the game was tied.

The Yanks got a run in the fourth when Miguel Andujar hit his first HR of the season. 3-2 Yanks.

In the fifth, with one out, D.J. LeMahieu and Luke Voit both singled, and with two out, Clint Frazier’s double scored two runs. 5-2, Yanks.

A bases-loaded walk to Hicks in the top of the sixth made it 6-2.

Then the roof fell in, as Green and Ottavino gave up ten runs in the bottom of the sixth. The final indignity came when Ottavino gave up a grand slam. The bottom of the sixth lasted 43 minutes and took up 67 pitches.

I have wondered about pitch selection a lot lately. In checking out the game on MLB’s gameday, I had to shake my head when, during a 9 or 10 pitch at bat (which resulted in Luke Voit making an error), Green threw nothing but fastballs. Really? Eventually the batter will time the fastball, especially after seeing nine or ten in a row.

There is a difference between pitching and throwing. Yes, there was criticism of that in Twitterworld, and I think, on the YES postgame show as well (I’m not too sure about YES, but YES was a bit critical last evening, and rightfully so).

The Yankees’ defense, suspect lately, made two more errors. Nothing is going right.

The Yanks got a run in the top of the ninth on an RBI groundout by Andujar.

But this game signified “just when you think things can’t get worse…”

Something’s gonna happen. It has to. This can’t continue.

Because the Yanks are close to missing out on the playoffs entirely.

Voit 2 hits, solo HR (14)
Hicks solo HR (4), 2 RBI
Frazier 2 hits, 2 RBI
Andujar solo HR (1), 2 RBI

Montgomery 3 1/3 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 2 W, 1 K. 5.72
Holder 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 2 K. 2.25
Green 1/3 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 H, 2 W, 0 K. 4.26
Ottavino (L, 2-3; BS, 3; 7.82) 0 IP, 6 R, 4 H, 2 W, 0 K. Gave up grand slam.
Cessa 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K. 2.81
Schmidt 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 W, 2 K. 7.71

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

Yanks/Braves Rained out. DH Wed (to add to the DHs Friday and Sunday!)

Expect to see a lot of pitching moves for the Yankees soon, including probably Clarke Schmidt AND Deivi Garcia probably coming up to the big squad.

The Yankees/Braves game scheduled for tonight was rained out. Meaning a doubleheader on Wednesday (tomorrow).

Then, after an off day, the Yankees have doubleheaders both on Friday and Sunday against the Mets, with a single game on Saturday.

---

Meanwhile, J.A. Happ is unhappy with the way he is being used, especially since he is being skipped over in the rotation. Well, a couple of thoughts about that. If you have off days, and more off days or days postponed because of rain or virus issues, and they enable you to squeeze an extra start or two in for Gerrit Cole, you take advantage of it.

Secondly, don’t like it? Pitch better. I don’t think anyone who had an ERA over 5.00 almost all of last year (finished at 4.91) and who is at 6.39 right now has any kind of legitimate beef. Pitch better.

S.T. Game 18. Yanks fall 3-1 to Phils, make more cuts.

The Yanks made a few more cuts today. From MLB.com:

Right-hander Brooks Kriske was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Right-hander Albert Abreu and outfielder Estevan Florial were optioned to Double-A Trenton. Right-handers Luis Gil and Luis Medina have been optioned to Class A Advanced Tampa. In addition, right-handers Domingo Acevedo and Alexander Vizcaíno were reassigned to Minor League camp.

I think you may see Kriske sometime this year in the Bronx.

Gary Sanchez is expected to catch Friday after being shut down for a few days with a sore back.

As for the game Monday, the Yanks (10-6-2) lost to the Phils, 3-1. J.A. Happ was solid, giving up one run in four innings on a HR. But Mike King gave up a 2-run HR in the bottom of the eighth that lost the game.

So far, it’s an encouraging spring from Happ. If he gets back to 2018 or 2016 form, he helps make up for this year’s loss of Severino.

Happ 4 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 W, 5 K.  1.38  Gave up a solo HR.
Chapman 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K.  0.00
King (L, 0-1) 2 2/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 W, 0 K.  3.86  Gave up 2-run HR.
Holder 1/3 IP 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K.  0.00

Just a hunch. I think Loaisiga gets the #5 starter spot (barring injury) and Garcia, Schmidt and King go to AAA. I have no clue as to what the Yankees do with Tropeano. Once Paxton is back, Loaisiga goes to the bullpen. The Yanks probably won’t push Loaisiga, but hope he gives four or five. Now what happens when German is ready is up in the air. For when Paxton does return, you have Cole, Tanaka, Happ, Montgomery and Paxton. Three lefties in the rotation, especially at Yankee Stadium, is a good thing so there is no guarantee that German gets his starting role back.

Of course, much could change with injuries and/or ineffectiveness.

S.T Games 16 & 17. A win and a tie.

The Yanks split the squad today (Sunday) and won one game and tied another. They are 10-5-2 in Spring Training.

First, the 1-0 win over the Braves, in which Yankees’ pitchers combined for a two-hit shutout.

Clint Frazier had 2 hits. Chris Iannetta with the RBI.

Concerns: Mike Tauchman .056; Tyler Wade .080

Tanaka 3 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 4 K.  2.08
Kriske 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K.  3.38
Ottavino 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.  0.00
Britton (W, 2-0) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K.  0.00
Kahnle (H, 1) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K.  0.00
Green (H, 1) 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K.  2.25
Acevedo (S, 2) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.  0.00

Now the tie, 5-5 against the Orioles.

Tommy Milone 3 for 3, 3 RBI, a 2-run HR.

Schmidt 2 IP, 3 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 W, 2 K.  2.57
Abreu 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K.  4.50
Medina (H, 2) 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 W, 1 K.  2.25
Lane (H, 1) 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K.  10.80
Gil (H, 2) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K. 2.25
Vizcaino (BS, 1) 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 W, 1 K.  9.00
Rosa 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K.  6.00

Recent cuts: C Kellin Deglan and Wynston Sawyer (minor league camp), P Nick Nelson (AAA) and Miguel Yajure (to AA).

 

S.T. Game 11. Tanaka, Loaisiga look good in Yanks’ 9-1 win.

The Yankees improved to 7-3-1 in Spring Training with a 9-1 win over Boston Tuesday afternoon.

The pitchers only gave up 2 hits.

D.J. LeMahieu had 2 hits and 2 RBI
Kyle Higashioka went 2 for 2.
Gio Urshela homered.
Thairo Estrada was 2 for 2 with an RBI.
Clint Frazier walked in all three of his plate appearances.

The Pitching Line:

Tanaka (W, 1-0) 3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 5 K.  0.00
Schmidt 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 W, 3 K.  1.80
Ottavino 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.  0.00
Britton 1 iP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K  0.00
Loaisiga 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W,  4 K.  0.00

Nice outing for all. Even Schmidt, competing with Loaisiga for the #5 spot, did well.

So far, I think King and Garcia are AAA bound. Montgomery is #4 and I think Loaisiga is #5 with Schmidt heading to the minors as well.

But King, Schmidt and Garcia look like good backup insurance.

And once Paxton and German come back, all the better.

It doesn’t look like Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton will be ready on Opening Day.

The OF/DH alignment could be Frazier in LF, Gardner CF and Tauchman in RF with Andujar as the DH. But Opening Day IS in Baltimore, and as bad as the Orioles are, that should be enough. Especially when you look at the rest of the lineup and Cole on the mound.

 

 

S.T. Game 6: Yanks win 7-1 and competition heats up for #5 rotation slot.

The Yanks won their third S.T. game in a row, 7-1 , to go to 3-2-1 in Spring Training.

Tyler Wade and Clint Frazier hit back to back HR in the first inning, with Wade’s being a 2-run shot.

Mike Ford had two hits, including a 2-run HR of his own.

What really looked good was the pitching, especially the guys following J.A. Happ.

Here is the pitching line:

Happ (W, 1-0) 3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 2 K.  1.80
King (H, 1) 2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 W, 0 K.   0.00
Schmidt 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 3 K.  0.00
Loaisiga 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 4 K  0.00

With Paxton, Severino and German all out to start the season (and for Severino, out the entire season), it looks like Happ moves up to the #3 slot, and the Yanks need Happ to be what he was in 2018 when the Yanks got him from Toronto (7-0, 2.69 in 11 starts; 16-7 overall Tor/NYY) and not the Happ who struggled last season.

Jordan Montgomery looks like the #4 starter, and that #5 spot is up for grabs.

Three of the guys in contention for that #5 spot in the rotation pitched today—those three guys right after Happ.

Good to see all do well and it be a tough, healthy competition where no one wins it on default but on merit.

Great job by all three today. Happ, too.

 

S.T. Game 2. Andujar HRs, but Yanks lose 9-7.

The Yanks (0-2) lost to Tampa Bay 9-7 in their S.T. game today.

Good news: Miguel Andujar homered. Jonathan Loaisiga had a 1-2-3 inning. He is competing for the #5 starter job or a spot starter/long relief position.

There weren’t too many “major leaguers” who played. It was mostly minor leaguers. The only possible MLB players were Tyler Wade, Andujar, Luke Voit, maybe Thairo Estrada or David Hale, and that’s about it.

It came out today that Voit’s injury that sabotaged the second half of 2019 for him was worse than thought. He basically ripped everything. 3 ligaments on both sides of his groin had to be repaired in the off season. In the first half of last year, he had 17 HR and 50 RBI. Do the math. 34 and 100.

He feels fine now. Good sign. Even lost a little weight to make him a little more flexible. But that injury wasn’t just a sports hernia. It explains the big drop off in the second half.

Two hits for Chris Gittens today after he homered yesterday.

Estrada with a hit and an RBI.

Two hits and 2 RBI for OF Trey Amburgey. I like this kid. Righty hitter, 25. Hit .274-22-62 for AAA SWB last year. But no room for him at MLB level right now.

Pitching line:

Loaisiga 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K   0.00  Nice
Hale 2/3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 0 W, 1 K.  40.50   Not so hot.
Lyons 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K. Threw a WP that let a run in. 0.00
Schmidt 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 0 K. 0.00  A top prospect.
Nelson 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 W, 0 K.   0.00
Yajure 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K.   0.00
Vizcaino (H,1) 1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K.  18.00
Abreu (H,1)  1 IP, 1 R, 0 H, 2 W, 1 K.  9.00
Lane (L; BS) 2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 H, 2 W, 0 K.  27.00
Reeves 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K, 0.00

C Wynston Sawyer, who spent last year (43 Games) with the Twins AAA team, made two errors, I didn’t see the one, but the other was quite embarrassing.

Gerrit Cole will pitch tomorrow (Monday) night.