Chase Headley's clutch home run and solid pitching allow the Yankees to best the Indians 2-1

The Yankees entered tonight’s matchup on a four-game losing streak. The man looking to turn the Yankees' fortunes around was Jordan Montgomery. Thanks to the acquisitions at the deadline by Brian Cashman, the Yankees now have six starters, with Montgomery being the sixth man and the possible odd man out if they end up switching back to a five man rotation. With that being said, this was Montgomery’s big chance to show his team what he can do, and he showed up. 

Photo Credit: Phil Long | AP

Montgomery pitched five strong innings, only allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven. Even with his dominant start, and having only thrown 65 pitches, Joe Girardi still pulled him out in favor of David Robertson. The main cause for the Yankees woes over the past four games would be the lack of offense, and tonight would be no different. The whole lineup was dominated by the Cleveland Indians starter Danny Salazar who went seven innings, striking out 12, while only allowing one earned run, however, Chase Headley would come in the clutch to put the Yankees over the Indians 2-1.

The Yankees came out strong in the first inning at the plate, with Brett Gardner leading off the game with a walk. Chase Headley would strikeout, but Aaron Judge would single to left, and then Didi Gregorius followed by an RBI double that nearly went over the wall for what would have been a three-run home run.

The Yankee lead wouldn’t last very long thanks to a solo home run off the bat of Carlos Santana in the bottom of the second. Due to solid pitching by both sides, the score held at 1-1 all the way until the top of the eighth, when the tie was finally broken by a solo home run off the bat of Chase Headley making the lead 2-1 in the Yankees favor.  

Photo Credit: Phil Long | AP

Thanks to that big homer in the eighth inning, and big defensive plays made by Brett Gardner and Ronald Torreyes in the ninth inning, the Yankees held on to end the streak at four games with a close 2-1 win over the Indians. Both offenses struggled, while both pitching staffs prospered. Montgomery was very solid for the Yanks, while the bullpen shutdown to Indian bats through four innings to close out the game.

The Yankees look to even the series tomorrow afternoon with “Ace” Luis Severino (8-4, 2.98 ERA) on the mound against Carlos Carrasco (10-4, 3.89 ERA). First pitch will be around 1:10 pm EST on YES.

Winning Pitcher: David Robertson (5-2, 2.55 ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Zach McAllister (1-1, 2.27 ERA)

Save: Aroldis Chapman (14)

Notables:

Jordan Montgomery: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 K, 0 BB, 1 HR

Chase Headley: 1-4, 1 HR (6), 1 R, 1 RBI

Didi Gregorius: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI

David Robertson: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB

Article by: Vinny Romita
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