Refsnyder's big game, Yankees four run seventh propels Yanks to victory

Picture Credit: Paul Sanoya | AP

The Yankees travelled to Detroit for one game to make up for the postponed game on April 10. Pitching for his job, Michael Pineda had a solid outing but still came away with a no-decision. The Yankees were opposed by young lefty Matt Boyd. Boyd remained perfect through four, and took a no-hitter into the sixth before the Yankees offense broke out of a huge slump.

The Tigers scored first on an RBI single by Justin Upton. That was all the Tigers could muster off Pineda.

Picture Credit: Paul Sanoya | AP

Rob Refsnyder would double off Boyd to break up the no-no in the sixth inning. He then moved to third on a fly out to left field by Aaron Hicks. Refsnyder was brought in on a sacrifice fly to center by Jacoby Ellsbury.

Back to back singles by Alex Rodriguez and Chase Headley had the Yankees in business to lead off the seventh. Attempting to play small ball, Austin Romine bunted Headley to second, but Rodriguez was thrown out at third. A potential inning killer, the Yankees needed a huge hit to take the lead. Refsnyder, who had a good game, drove Headley home from second on a single to left to put the Yankees ahead

The hit parade would continue on an RBI single by Aaron Hicks. Jacoby Ellsbury then drove two runners home on a triple down the right field line giving the Yankees a commanding 5-1 lead.

Dellin Betances, who entered with two outs in the sixth, surrendered an RBI double to Mike Aviles in the seventh. He then struck out the next three batters to get out of the jam.

Andrew Miller entered in the eighth and walked the leadoff man Miguel Cabrera. Ian Kinsler then doubled off the Yankee left-hander to bring the score to 5-3. Miller would escape any further trouble.

Aroldis Chapman ran into a lot of trouble in the ninth inning. Chapman would allow a leadoff single to Aviles, a walk to Jose Iglesias and a bunt single to Cameron Maybin to load the bases with nobody out. Then, Didi Gregorius (who entered as a defensive replacement) spun a slick double play glove flipping to Starlin Castro (who moved to second). Castro caught the glove flip with his bare hand and fired to first to nab J.D. Martinez to get two huge outs, while one run would come in on the play. With the tying run now 90 feet away, Chapman induced a groundout to Miguel Cabrera to give him his eighth save in eight opportunities.

This technically gives the Yankees a series win in Detroit. They were shut out by the Tigers in game one on April 8, but then defeated Detroit 8-4 on April 9. This game being the rubber match handed the Yankees a much needed (series) win.

Article by: Chad Raines

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