Game 123. Yanks’ bats silent in 5-1 loss.

Sonny Gray has pitched well since the Yankees traded for him. ERA 3.13.

However he is 1-3 as a Yankee because the Yankees haven’t hit for him.

Sunday was another example. The Yanks lost 5-1 to Boston, dropping them five behind Boston with 39 games to go. The Yanks are 66-57.

They only got three hits in the game, two by Brett Gardner. Gardner’s 20th HR of the season accounted for their only run.

Aaron Judge struck out for the 37th consecutive game. Hopefully that streak ends soon. He also made a bad defensive play, lobbing the ball in while getting suckered by Mookie Betts, who tagged up and went to third. I think Judge will be firing the ball back in from now on. Betts didn’t score, but…

Tommy Kahnle struggled, just like he did Friday night vs. Boston.

Gray (L, 7-8, 3.38) 5 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 2 W, 0 K.
Warren 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 0 K. 2.03
Chapman 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 2 K. 4.14
Kahnle 0 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 W, 0 K. 2.98
Smith 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K. 6.55

When CC came off the DL, Montgomery was sent down to SWB to control his innings.

Game 122. Austin powers Yanks, 4-3.

Tyler Austin’s 3-run HR was the key blow as the Yanks beat Boston and Chris Sale on Saturday night, 4-3.

Sale usually owns the Yanks.

CC Sabathia came off the DL and was, to my surprise, effective. The last time we saw CC on the mound, he was in pain with that right knee and we were not sure what to think. Season over? Career over? But there was no structural damage and he missed just one start. The knee didn’t seem to bother him last night.

Austin’s second-inning HR (2) put the Yanks up 3-0. Boston got two in the fifth off of CC.

Todd Frazier hit a solo HR (21) in the sixth to make it 4-2 Yanks, but Adam Warren gave up a HR in the seventh.

Before the game, it was announced that Aroldis Chapman has lost his closer’s job for now. There is still four years left on Chapman’s contract at $17MM per. The Yanks will need to straighten him out.

Sabathia (W, 10-5, 3.99) 6 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 W, 4 K.
Warren (H, 11) 2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K. Gave up 1 HR. 1.88
Robertson (H, 3) 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 3 K. 2.19
Betances (S, 9) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K. 2.11

Aaron Judge set a record for most consecutive games striking out.

Brett Gardner had 2 hits. Didi Gregorius had 3. Austin had 2 and was robbed of a third.

The win puts the Yanks at 66-56, four back of Boston. They hold the top wild card spot by 3 1/2 games.

Game 119. Didi wins game, 5-3.

He may be the most underrated SS in the majors right now. He is hitting .308-18-58, has played great defense and missed what, the first 3 weeks of the season? Give him those weeks, he’d have 20+ HR right now, a .300 average, and over 40 games to go.

Didi Gregorius took over for a legend and should be considered as the All-Star he has become. His two-run double in the seventh won tonight’s game over the Mets, 5-3.

The win puts the Yanks at 64-55, and keeps them 4 1/2 back of Red-hot Boston right now. They still control the top wild card spot.

The Mets struck for a run in the first. The Yanks tied it in the second when the Mets gifted the Yanks a run. Headley walked, went to 2nd on a WP, 3rd on a PB and scored on a groundout. Thanks, Mets.

The Yanks took the lead in the fourth. Aaron Judge hit a 457 ft. bomb into the third deck at Citi Field, HR #37, to put the Yanks up. He had his first multi-hit game since July 18, but did strike out once in the game, setting a MLB record for most consecutive games striking out.

The Mets tied it in the fifth on a HR.

The Yanks got a single by Judge and a couple of walks to load the bases in the top of the sixth. A SF by Headley put the Yanks up 3-2 but the Mets tied it in the bottom of the inning.

The decisive runs came in the top of the seventh. The igniter, the “Mighty Mite”, Ronald Torreyes, doubled. After Girardi correctly played littleball and Gardner (PH for pitcher) bunted him to third, Ellsbury and Hicks walked to load the bases. Judge popped up, AAARGH! but Didi picked him up with a two-run double that was the game-winning hit.

A friend asked me about my managerial strategy. I am glad Girardi listened. I said Warren forG two innings, and D-Rob to close. No Betances (needs a day off) and no Chapman (confidence? Needs to clear his head).

So I called it. LOL

Garcia 5 1/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 3 W, 3 K. Gave up 1 HR. 4.52
Kahnle (BS, 5; W, 2-3, 2.27)  2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K.
Warren (H, 10) 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 3 K. 1.73
Robertson (S, 14) 1 Ip, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K. 2.25

Some recent baseball passings & a retirement:

Paul Casanova: C, mostly known as the Washington Senators C in the late 1960s. In 1967, finished 21st in MVP voting and an All-Star with a .248-9-53 season. 162 g. average for his career? .225-9-48, OPS+ 65. As you can see, didn’t hit much. Washington 1965-1971, Atlanta 1972-1974.

Danny Walton, OF. Houston 1968. Seattle Pilots 1969 (only Pilots season before moving and becoming the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970). Milwaukee 1970-1971, Yankees (for only 5 games) 1971. Minnesota 1973, 1975. Dodgers 1976, Astros 1977. Rangers 1980. Only season 100 or more games: 1970 Brewers, .257-17-66, OPS+ 117. Good year. 162 G. average, .223-15-58, OPS+ 90.

Don Gross. LHP. Reds, 1955-1957. Pittsburgh 1958-1960.   20-22, 3.73 in his career, ERA+ 108. Average 162 G. season: 7-8, 3.73, 4 saves as a spot starter/long reliever.

Jered Weaver announced his retirement today. Weaver was 150-98 in his career, Angels 2006-2016 & 2017 Padres. A 3x All-Star, he was 5th for ROY in 2006, 5th for the CYA in 2010, runnerup for it in 2011, and 3rd for it in 2012. He finished 22nd for MVP in 2012.

2011: 18-8, 2.41, ERA+ 156.
2012: 20-5. 2.81 ERA+ 135.

He was 2-1, 2.60 in the postseason, 4 starts, 3 relief. He pitched in 3 games against the Yankees in the 2009 ALCS, 0-0, 4.26.

His 162 G. average was 15-10, 3.63, ERA+ 111. Solid starter. He led the AL in wins with 20 in 2012 and 18 in 2014.

 

 

 

Game 114. Hicks ignites rally, saves game. Yanks 5-4.

Aaron Hicks hit a 2-run HR to ignite a 5-run 8th inning rally for the Yanks, and made a key defensive play that helped save the game as the Yanks rallied late to beat Boston 5-4 Friday night. The win puts the 61-53 Yanks 3 1/2 back of Boston in the AL East. A loss would have meant 5 1/2 back.

Jaime Garcia gave up a 2-run HR to Hanley Ramirez in the first inning and a solo HR to Andrew Benitendi in the fifth. Meanwhile, the Yanks continued to be futile offensively.

But in the eighth, PH Gardner led off with a HBP, and Hicks snuck a HR (11) just fair down the RF line, about 3 rows deep, to cut the Boston lead to 3-0. Sanchez singled, advanced on a WP and Judge walked. Didi singled to tie the game. Todd Frazier singled to put the Yanks ahead 4-3. After Headley struck out, Ellsbury singled to load the bases. Torreyes got a SF (oh, how I kill for a simple SF) to put the Yanks up 5-3. They would need that insurance run, and how.

Aroldis Chapman came in for the save and couldn’t find the plate if you gave him a map and a GPS system. He walked the bases loaded with no one out. On a SF that made the score 5-4, Aaron Hicks threw out ex-Yankee Eduardo Nunez at third while the run was scoring. So now two out, man on second and Chapman got a flyout to end the game.

Whew.

Garcia 5 2/3 IP 3 ER, 7 H, 3 W, 6 K. Gave up 2 HR. 4.50
Warren (W, 3-2, 1.80) 2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K.
Chapman (S, 15) 1 IP, 1 R, 0 H, 3 W, 0 K. 3.06

Derek Jeter’s bid won in order to buy the Marlins. He and others will have to pony up $1.2 Billion.

Game 112. Yanks beat Toronto 11-5 behind Cooper, Todd Frazier.

Unfortunately, the Red Sox aren’t losing (they have won 8 in a row) so the Yanks could not make up ground, but the Yanks did win, so they continue to maintain or increase the advantage they have for the top wild card spot. There is a big series at home against Boston this weekend.

With tonight’s 11-5 win over Toronto, the Yanks record improves to 60-52. Fifty games left. Four back of Boston.

Before the game, Clint Frazier was a late scratch with an oblique problem. He has been slumping badly lately. Aaron Hicks was expected back Friday. That may be bumped up with this problem.

The Yanks struck first, scoring twice in the second on back to back HR by Gary Sanchez (18) and Todd Frazier (19).

Tanaka gave a run right back. 2-1 Yanks after two.

Didi Gregorius homered (18) in the third to make it 3-1 Yanks. Toronto scored in the bottom half of the frame off a stuggling Tanaka to make it 3-2.

In the fifth, with one out, Judge walked. Gregorius doubled Judge to third. After Sanchez struck out for the second out, Todd Frazier doubled in two runs. Ellsbury doubled in Frazier. 6-2 Yanks.

Jose Bautista homered off Tanaka in the bottom of the fifth, and chased him. 6-3.

Toronto got two in the fifth before the Yanks’ bullpen was able to slam the door. 6-5.

The Yanks put the game away in the last two innings. In the eighth, Garrett Cooper’s third hit of the night put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Ronald Torreyes singled in two runs.

In the ninth, with the bases loaded and no one out, a ground out by Ellsbury drove in a run. Cooper singled (his fourth hit) in two more.  11-5.

Gregorius (.311) 3 hits, HR, RBI.
Sanchez 2 hits, HR, RBI.
Todd Frazier 3 hits, HR, 3 RBI.
Ellsbury 2 RBI.
Cooper 4 hits, 2 RBI.
Torreyes 2 hits, 2 RBI.

Tanaka 4 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 5 W, 2 K. Gave up 1 HR. 4.92. Uncharacteristically wild.
Green (W, 2-0, 2.06) 1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 0 W, 3 K.
Kahnle (H, 10) 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K. 2.38
Robertson (H, 2) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 2.44
Betances (H, 16) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 2.36
Warren 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K. 1.89

With Tanaka not going the requisite five innings, it falls to the official scorer. Personally, I would not have given the W to Green (2 runs in 1 1/3?) but probably to Robertson instead. Too many official scorers are lazy, however, and go “by the book.”

 

Game 110. Ellsbury & Judge support Severino’s gem. Yanks win 8-1.

Boston’s Chris Sale is probably the front-runner for the AL CYA right now, but consideration must be given to Luis Severino.

Severino gave up a HR in the first inning, but only one more hit after that in dominating the Cleveland Indians today in the Yanks’ 8-1 win.

The win puts the Yanks at 59-51, and keeps them 3 back of Boston. They still hold the top wild card spot.

Down 1-0, the Yanks broke through in the sixth. Gardner singled and Clint Frazier doubled. After an out, Judge was intentionally walked. Chase Headley hit a SF to tie the game. Todd Frazier walked and Jacoby Ellsbury cleared the bases with a 3-run triple. Ronald Torreyes singled in Ellsbury to make it 5-1.

Aaron Judge hit a 3-run HR (35) in the seventh to make it 8-1.

Didi Gregorius 3 hits.
Judge struck out 3x, but did have that 3-run HR.
Ellsbury 2 hits, 3 RBI.
Torreyes 2 hits, rbi.

Matt Holliday was put on the DL. Garrett Cooper brought up. Jordan “the general” Montgomery was sent down to SWB. Not because he did anything wrong, but with six starters for five spots, and an innings limit approaching…

Severino (W, 9-4, 2.91) 6 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 W, 9 K. Gave up 1 HR.
Kahnle    1/3 IP, 0 r, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K. 2.42
Warren 1 IP, 0 r, 0 H, 0 W. 0 K. 1.93
Shreve 1 IP, 0 r, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 2.73

Game 105. Tigers edge Yanks, 4-3.

CC Sabathia gave up a 3-run HR in the second inning, a solo HR in the third, and Detroit held on to beat the Yankees 4-3 on Tuesday night.

All the Yankees’ runs came via Didi Gregorius. He hit a 2-run HR (17) in the fourth, and had an RBI single in the eighth inning.

The loss drops the 57-48 Yankees out of first place in the AL East. They are now 1/2 game behind Boston.

Wednesday’s game is an afternoon game.

Aaron Judge’s slump continues. Since the 4th of July, Judge is .192-6-12, with 34 strikeouts in 78 at bats. It has dropped his batting average from .329 to .299. Hopefully he adjusts and gets his second wind soon.

Gary Sanchez and Matt Holliday each had two hits.

Sabathia (L, 9-4, 3.81) 6 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 1 W, 3 K. Gave up 2 HR.
Warren 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K. 1.97
Robertson 1 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 W, 2 K. 2.68

Brett Gardner threw a runner out at the plate in the ninth.

Cessa was sent down for Holder recently, and Holder and Cooper were then sent down to make room for Gray and Garcia.