So far this season is the opposite of what you expected. After six games, the pitching has a stellar 1.74 ERA (those runners on second in extra innings that score are unearned runs, and the Yanks (3-3) have lost two of their three games that way. As I mentioned numerous times, I hate that rule).
Meanwhile the hitting hasn’t clicked in yet.
But the pitching could have been a disaster, just six games in.
Say the Yanks had kept James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka. (We won’t discuss Happ, who is healthy with the Twins). If so, the Yankees’ rotation would already be in shambles.
Paxton has pitched just 1 1/3 innings for the Mariners, and is hurt again. Removed in the second inning of the game the other day, TJ surgery is recommended and he wouldn’t be back until late 2022. So in 2020 (Covid, plus back trouble) and 2021 (elbow) combined, Paxton would have pitched a total of 21 2/3 innings, with most of 2022 gone now as well. He’s never pitched 162 innings in a season.
Tanaka, who went back to Japan (more on that in a minute), is on the shelf with a calf injury.
Of course, injuries could hit the Yankees, but if Paxton and Tanaka were still with the team, already the rotation would be hurting.
As for Tanaka, rumors that he went back to Japan not only because of price but because of prejudice are disturbing. There is no place for that.
It’s now official. Masahiro Tanaka has gone back home to Japan, to his original team, the Rakuten Golden Eagles.
With the Yankees trying to stay under the salary cap (especially after a season that saw MLB teams lose so much money after a COVID-shortened 60 game season), they basically got two pitchers (Kluber and Taillon) for the price of one (Tanaka), so the writing has been on the wall for the past few days.
Tanaka was with the Yankees from 2014-2020, was a 2x All-Star, finished 5th in ROY voting in 2014 and 7th in Cy Young voting in 2016.
He went 78-46, 3.74, ERA+ 114. His 162 game average was 15-9, 3.74. In the postseason, he went 5-4, 3.33 in 10 games, all starts.
The Yankees had a very productive day on Friday, coming to terms with all arbitration eligible players, re-signing free agent D.J. LeMahieu, and signing Corey Kluber. But all this will mean some people appear to not be coming back.
Hal Steinbrenner wants to get under the $210MM luxury cap, especially after the Yankees (and all of MLB) took such a financial hit in 2020 due to the 60 game season forced upon it by the pandemic. After yesterday’s dealings, word is they are only $10MM or so away from hitting that cap. Meaning only minor signings, if any, unless they make a trade to free up money and create room.
What this means is that all of the following may be gone: Happ (expected), Paxton (expected), Gardner (not as much so) and Tanaka (not so much so). Happ, 38, was 21-10, 4.13 ERA+ 106 while with the Yankees 2018-2020. He was excellent when coming over from Toronto in 2018, bad in 2019 and good in 2020. But he was ineffective in the playoffs, going 0-3. He also was very critical (as we fans and others were and are) of Aaron Boone’s decision to use Deivi Garcia as an opener in Game 3 of the ALDS then have Happ come in. A move that failed, miserably.
Paxton, 32, has had trouble staying healthy. He was very good in 2019, going 15-6, 3.82 (ERA+ 117) but then needed back surgery. His 2020 was horrible. Five starts, another injury, 1-1, 6.64. In three starts for the Yanks in the 2019 postseason, Paxton was 1-0, 3.46. He made $12.5MM in 2020 and probably doesn’t fit the Yankees budget unless he took a big cut in pay. As we’ve seen, he is also an injury risk, having never qualified for the ERA title (162 IP in a normal season, 60 IP last year).
Gardner, 37, seems like the most likely to possibly return, but it would have to be at a big cut in pay. He had power last year, but his batting average was way down. .223-5-15 in 49 games, OPS+ 108. Gardner, if he comes back, would probably have to be reduced to a bench player, what with the emergence of Clint Frazier. Gardner has spent his whole career (2008-2020) with the Yankees, and his 162 game average is .259-14-56 with 28 SB (OPS+ 101; 100 is average). He doesn’t run like he used to, but still is a good defensive player who could spell Frazier in the late innings. But the Yankees already have a younger, and more inexpensive alternative to Gardner in Mike Tauchman. Gardner made $10MM last year, and the Yankees bought out his option at $2.5MM. If he comes back, it probably would have to be for $5MM or less, and that doesn’t then give the Yanks a lot of wiggle room elsewhere. Gardner’s numbers seem average, but he is listed on baseball reference as the 41st best LF of all-time.
Tanaka, 32, now appears gone what with the signing of Corey Kluber, which I will get to soon. Tanaka has been with the Yanks 2014-2020, and while never being a dominant ace, proved himself dependable and reliable. He has gone 78-46, 3.74 (ERA+ 116) as a Yankee after signing a huge contract (and the Yanks posting a huge posting fee for him). His 162 gm. average is 15-9, 3.74. Solid. Not great, but solid. In 10 postseason starts, he went 5-4, 3.33 for the Yankees. He may go home to Japan, but there are also rumors that San Diego may be interested in this 2x All-Star. Tanaka made $23MM last year, would be taking a cut, but he wouldn’t take so much of a cut to get the Yanks under the cap. With the Kluber deal, Tanaka is gone, it appears.
Now to Kluber, who signed a 1 year, $11MM deal with the Yankees yesterday after wowing scouts at a tryout the day before. It helped the Yankees that Kluber had a working relationship already with the Yanks’ pitching coach and strength and conditioning coach. This is a gamble that could pay off big. Kluber will be 35 in April and if he gets back to what he was, sets in nicely at #2 behind Gerrit Cole. Heck he could even be #1 above Cole, believe it or not. From 2013-2018 for Cleveland, Kluber won two Cy Young awards, finished third twice, was a 3x All-Star, and got MVP consideration 3x, finishing 7th for MVP (great for a pitcher) in 2017. From 2013-2018, his average season was 16-8, 2.96, ERA+ 143. But he got injured in 2019, one of the injuries a broken forearm after being hit by a line drive. In seven starts for the Indians in 2019, he was only 2-3, 5.80. He only pitched one inning for Texas in 2020 before getting hurt again. So since 2018, just 2-3, 5.65 in eight starts, 36 2/3 IP. For his career, Kluber’s 162 g. ave. is 16-10, 3.16, ERA+ 135. Obviously the Yankees are hoping he can get back to where he was or close to it. If so, the $11MM for one year is a deal.
So as of now, the rotation looks like Cole, Kluber and Jordan Montgomery as the top 3 starters. Domingo German, who went 18-4, 4.03 in 2019 before being suspended and missing all of the 2019 postseason and all of the 2020 season, could slot in at #4. The #5 could be a battle between youngsters Deivi Garcia, Clarke Schmidt, Mike King and veteran Jhoulys Chacin. Don’t forget about the 33 year old Chacin, who was signed to a minor league deal and who has a 78-87 record with a 4.04 career ERA (ERA+ 108). Chacin was horrible in 2019-2020 (4-12, 6.06) but was a 15 game winner in 2018.
If Kluber and Chacin can get back to where they were…. but as you know, if is the biggest two letter word in the dictionary.
And don’t forget, Luis Severino, still just 26 next year, should return from his TJ surgery in June or July. A front three then of Cole, Kluber and Severino, with Montgomery and whoever wins the #5 (Garcia, German, Schmidt, King, Chacin) could be decent…. if of course, healthy. (Fingers crossed).
The Yankees also are coming to terms with D.J. LeMahieu on a long-term deal. LeMahieu, a free agent, has been the Yankees best player the past two seasons, and finished in the top four for MVP voting both years. As a Yankee, 2019 and 2020, D.J. has hit .336, leading the majors last year in batting average (.364), and he also led the AL last year in OBP, OPS and OPS+. A 3x All-Star, 3x Gold Glove, and 2x Silver Slugger, LeMahieu, 32, is a .305 career hitter. He’ll slot back in at 2B, but could also play 1B and 3B. Word is he wanted 5 years at around $100MM, the Yanks came back with something like 4 years at $75. In the end a compromise. The Yanks got the lower $$ figure they wanted but LeMahieu got the years he wanted. Six years, $90 MM. The years could hurt later on.
Lastly, the Yankees settled arbitration cases. Here are what players will get in 2021.
Judge $10.175MM Sanchez $6.35MM (I know, .147 and benched in postseason gets you THAT?!) Voit $4.7MM Urshela $4.65MM Torres $4MM Green $2.15MM Montgomery $2.13MM Frazier $2.1MM
Earlier, Luis Cessa got $1MM.
Remember, these are raises. Leaving little wiggle room, what with the D.J. and Kluber signings for much else. Which is why I wrote about the likelihood of many departures.
The Yankees’ slugger homered for the fifth straight postseason game, and set a record in doing so, but Yankees’ pitching failed again in an 8-4 loss to Tampa Bay.
With the loss, the Yanks are down two games to one in the best-of-five series. One more loss, either tonight or tomorrow night, and the Yankees’ season is over.
Masahiro Tanaka gave up a run in the second, but the Yanks tied it on a bases-loaded SF by Aaron Judge in the bottom of the third.
But Tanaka gave up a 3-run HR in the top of the fourth. 4-1, Rays.
Randy Arozarena, who is turning into Mr. October this month, homered off Tanaka in the top of the fifth to make it 5-1.
An Aaron Hicks RBI double in the bottom of the fifth cut the lead to 5-2.
The Yankees’ bullpen was supposed to be a strength but has been a disappointment. Chad Green gave up a 2-run HR in the top of the sixth, Luis Cessa let another run in, and it was 8-2. For all intensive purposes, the game was over.
Stanton hit his 2-run HR in the bottom of the eighth.
Stanton 2 hits, 2-run HR.
Tanaka (LOSS) 4 IP, 5 R, 8H, 1 W, 4 K. Gave up 2 HR. Green 1 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 0 W, 2 k. Gave up 1 HR. Cessa 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K. Nelson 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. King 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.
A sad thing when some of the worst umpires in MLB still get postseason assignments (Bucknor, Hernandez). See Game 2.
Jordan Montgomery starts for the Yanks in Game 4. He’ll be on a short leash because of the do-or-die nature of the game.
We’ve seen the rookie Nelson twice. Chapman not at all. That’s really what you need to know. And that isn’t good.
I agreed with the decision to start Deivi Garcia in game 2 of this ALDS. Less pressure on the rookie (the youngest Yankee to start a postseason game), and especially less pressure after the Game 1 win.
But I was shocked when I saw that Aaron Boone only planned to use Garcia as the opener, pitching just one inning, before bringing in J.A. Happ. I didn’t like that move, and that move backfired when Happ reverted to the Happ of earlier this year and of 2019 in a 7-5 loss to Tampa Bay that evened the series at one game apiece.
Who knows if Garcia, who gave up one run (a HR) in the first inning would have settled down? Happ, a starter his whole career, isn’t used to coming out of the bullpen. I didn’t like the move, still don’t, and the results speak for themselves.
Yankees’ pitching gave up four HR last night in the loss. After getting a couple of flyouts, Garcia gave up a HR, hit a batter, then got a groundout. I don’t know what Boone’s plans are for Garcia for the rest of the series, but who knows if the kid would have settled down after that and had given you four, five or six good innings after that?
In the top of the second, a red-hot (homers in four straight postseason games) Giancarlo Stanton homered to tie the game at one.
But in came Happ, who gave up a 2-run HR in the bottom of the second, then another two-run HR in the bottom of the third and after three innings, the Yanks were in a 5-1 hole they couldn’t get out of.
We won’t know what Garcia would have done because in going the “opener” route, Garcia was never given the chance. While he was pitching and getting the first two outs, Happ was already warming up. Sometimes you just outthink yourself, and maybe Boone did that here. How are you going to inspire confidence in the kid when you do that? Boone talks about the kid’s maturity and confidence but then does that?
This is just my opinion, and I haven’t read the NY Post, MLB, ESPN or anything but I’d be interested in reading some reactions to Boone’s move on those sites. Also see what the fans think.
As or me, I didn’t like it.
So, after Boone brings in Happ, who made the deficit 5-1, Stanton tried to get the Yankees back into the game with a three-run bomb of a HR in the top of the fourth that cut the Rays’ lead to 5-4.
But the Yanks showed little offense other than Stanton. They struck out 18x, a postseason record for a 9-inning game.
One problem the Yanks have had all year is that their bullpen is letting inherited runners score, and not shutting down the inning then and there. After Adam Ottavino walked the leadoff man in in the bottom of the fifth (who then stole second), and got a groundout, Jonathan Loaisiga gave up a run-scoring single before getting a DP (great play by D.J. LeMahieu) to end the inning.
Loaisiga gave up a HR in the sixth and it was 7-4.
The Yanks got a couple of walks to lead off the top of the ninth, but then two strikeouts. D.J. LeMahieu kept hope alive with an RBI single, but Aaron Judge grounded out to end the game.
Let’s hope Tanaka brings his A game tonight. At least we know he won’t be used as an “opener.”
Sanchez was 0 for 4, 3 strikeouts, PB. Maybe just stick with Higashioka?
Stanton 2 HR, 4 RBI
Garcia 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 1 HBP. Gave up 1 HR. Happ (LOSS) 2 2/3 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 3 W, 2 K. Gave up 2 HR. Made an error. Ottavino 2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 H, 1 W, 0 K. Loaisiga 1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K. Gave up 1 HR. Holder 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. Nelson 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K.
Rain delayed the start of Game 2 of the Yankees-Indians game, and that seemed to affect Masahiro Tanaka, who gave up four runs in the bottom of the first, an inning started later than scheduled, and then delayed in the middle of it.
Tanaka settled down a little, and eventually the Yankees prevailed in a back and forth, 10-9 win over Cleveland. With the win, the Yankees swept the Indians in the best-of-three series and now head to neutral site San Diego for a best-of-five ALDS showdown against the Tampa Bay Rays, against whom they were just 2-8 this season. The Rays have surpassed Boston this year as the Yanks’ arch nemesis. There is a lot of bad blood between the teams.
After the Yanks fell into that early 4-0 hole, Giancarlo Stanton got the Yanks on the board in the second with a solo HR.
The Yanks took the lead on a Gio Urshela grand slam in the fourth. Aaron Hicks tripled on a misplayed liner to lead off the inning, then Luke Voit and Stanton both walked before Urshela’s 432 ft. grand slam.
The Yanks got a run in the top of the fifth on a walk to Hicks, Luke Voit’s double which sent Hicks to third, then a SF by Stanton. 6-4, Yankees.
But the Indians came back to tie it in the bottom of the fifth.
In the top of the sixth, Brett Gardner led off with a walk, then Gary Sanchez hit a wind-blown, 2-run HR to put the Yanks up 8-6.
For Sanchez, a bit of a redemptive night after a season (albeit a shortened one) where he only hit .147.
But Cleveland came back to tie it in the bottom of the seventh.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Indians went ahead 9-8, and could have had more except for a fabulous DP started by Gio Urshela.
The Yanks then scored twice in the top of the ninth to win the game and send the Indians packing. Stanton walked, and Mike Tauchman PR for him. Urshela, and then Gleyber Torres both singled to load the bases with no one out. After Brett Gardner struck out, Sanchez tied up the game with a SF. D.J. LeMahieu hit a seeing-eye single up the middle to put the Yanks up 10-9, and they hung on for the win.
LeMahieu GW RBI Stanton, HR, 2 RBI Urshela 2 hits, 4 RBI, Grand Slam, great defensive play Sanchez 3 RBI, 2-run HR.
The Yanks drew 12 walks in the game, in addition to getting 8 hits (3 of which were HR).
The Yankees and Rays can now set up their rotations, since Game 1 of the ALDS won’t start until Monday, October 5. Time to be determined. On TBS. There will be no off days. It will be in the “bubble” of a neutral site in San Diego. With the Rays being the 1 seed (AL EAST champ) and the Yanks being the #5 seed, the Rays will be the home team for Games 1, 2 and 5 (5 if necessary) and the Yanks the home team for Games 3 and 4 (4 if necessary).
I would expect Cole in Game 1 and to also go on three days rest if there is a Game 5. As for the rotation for Games 2-3-4, we will see. If I were Boone, I might go with Garcia in Game 2 to place less pressure on the kid and save the veterans Tanaka and Happ for the more pressure-packed Games 3 and 4.
After going 8-1, 1.63 in the regular season, Shane Bieber of Cleveland was probably due for a bad game. Fortunately for the Yankees, it came in Game 1 of the best of three opening wild card round as the Yanks bombed Bieber and Cleveland, 12-3.
The Yanks wasted no time. D.J. LeMahieu led off the game with a single and Aaron Judge hit a 2-run HR. 2-0, Yankees.
With two out in the top of the third, Aaron Hicks walked and Luke Voit doubled him home. 3-0, Yanks.
Yankees’ starter Gerrit Cole gave up a run in the bottom of the third. Cole went seven innings and struck out 13.
The Yanks came back with two in the top of the fourth. With one out, Gleyber Torres walked. Brett Gardner doubled Torres home. Kyle Higashioka singled Gardner to third. D.J. LeMahieu singled in Gardner and the Yanks were up 5-1.
Cole gave up a HR in the bottom of the third. 5-2.
With two out in the top of the fifth, Gio Urshela singled, and Gleyber Torres followed with a two-run HR. 7-2, Yankees.
The Yanks put the game away with four runs in the top of the seventh. Aaron Hicks led off the inning with a walk, then Luke Voit singled. After a groundout that moved the runners up, Urshela hit a SF to make it 8-2. Torres singled in Voit, then Gardner hit a 2-run HR. 11-2.
Giancarlo Stanton homered in the top of the ninth, 12-2.
Luis Cessa gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth before closing out the Yanks’ 12-3 win.
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.
Maybe pitching in the place (Fenway Park) where his idol, Pedro Martinez, made his mark was too much for young, 21 year old Deivi Garcia. Maybe he just didn’t have it. But Michael Chavis hit two homers off him, and after twelve straight wins over Boston, eight of them this year, the Yanks (31-22) finally lost to Boston, 10-2.
Chavis hit a two-run HR in the second, and added a three-run HR in the third and Boston was up 6-0.
The Yankees’ bats didn’t provide much help. They didn’t get their first hit until the sixth inning, and got only three for the game.
In the sixth, Tyler Wade doubled for the Yanks’ first hit, and went to third on a PB. After a walk to D.J. LeMahieu, Wade scored when Luke Voit GIDP.
Jonathan Holder gave up 3 runs in the bottom of the seventh, one on a solo HR by Bobby Dalbec, and Boston went up 9-1.
Yankees’ backup C Erik Kratz gave up a HR to J.D. Martinez in the 8th and the Yanks were down 10-1.
Luke Voit hit his MLB leading 21st HR in the top of the ninth for the final of 10-2.
Even with the loss, the Yanks clinched a posteason berth when Seattle lost.
But the loss did knock the Yanks into the #5 seed for now. They are 31-22, while the Twins are 33-22. The way it looks now, the Twins, a familiar Yankees’ postseason opponent, and so-far, Yankees’ punching bag in the postseason, will be their opponent again.
The Yanks are moving back Gerrit Cole and Masahiro Tanaka in the rotation to set them up for starting Games 1 and 2 of the playoffs.
Voit solo HR (21)
Garcia (L, 2-2, 4.88) 3 IP, 6 R, 8 H, 1 W, 2 K. Gave up 2 HR. Cessa 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 W, 1 K. 2.21 Holder 2 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 1 W, 0 K. 5.03 Gave up 1 HR. Kratz 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 9.00 Gave up 1 HR. (BACKUP C)
Got to say, I’m not sure how much I trust Holder or Ottavino right now.
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.
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
2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 4 K. 
The Sommer Frieze 
