Sabathia struggles early, Yankees fall to Tigers 4-3

Fresh off a 7-3 victory Monday night, the Yankees were back in action against the Tigers at Yankee Stadium. Making his 500th career start, C.C. Sabathia (9-3, 3.66 ERA) took the mound looking to continue his string of solid outings. Sabathia was roughed up early, as close calls did not go his way, and mistakes led to big home runs for the Tigers. Those runs would be costly as the Bombers fell 4-3 Tuesday night in the Bronx.

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

The trouble for the big lefty started during the top of the second inning. Miguel Cabrera singled on a fly ball to center field, and Nicholas Castellanos hit a ground rule double to left field which put runners on second and third with no outs. On a fielder’s choice, James McCann was able to reach first, and after a close pitch that was ruled a ball, John Hicks blasted the next pitch, a homer to right center field. After the top of the second the Tigers led 3-0.

The Tigers struck again during the top of the third by the bat of Justin Upton. On a homer to left center field, Detroit carried a 4-0 lead after three. The Bombers would finally strike, and try to claw back into the game as they have all season. During the bottom of the fourth inning, Gary Sanchez doubled on a sharp line drive to left field. Didi Gregorius came to the plate next, and continued to stay hot. On a line drive homer to right field, the Bombers had cut the lead in half trailing 4-2 after four innings of play.

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Even when Sabathia does not have his best stuff, the veteran continued to give the Yankees innings and grit. The big lefty battled through six innings, allowing four runs but keeping the Bombers in the game. Adam Warren (2-2, 2.06 ERA), would be the first reliever out of the pen, and he would pitch a scoreless seventh inning.

The Yankees were unable to score during the bottom of the seventh inning, and had six outs to try and rally. Warren, who pitched a clean seventh, came on and worked through the eighth inning as well. On the season, Warren has been solid as of late and it shows in his stellar 1.97 ERA.

All night long, you got the impression that the crowd and team were just waiting for that one big hit to get going. After an Aaron Judge pop out, Sanchez singled on a sharp line drive to left field that was bobbled which allowed him to advance to second. The man of the night, Gregorius singled on a line drive to center field, tallying his third RBI of the night and bringing the Bombers closer 4-3 after eight.

David Robertson would come in during the ninth to pitch, and after giving up two singles, he was able to work out of a jam, to keep the Yankees down by just one run. Pinch hitting in the ninth, Jacoby Ellsbury would work a walk. On a throwing error to first by Greene, Ellsbury was able to advance to third. Brett Gardner was intentionally walked, and that brought up Red Thunder aka Clint Frazier. Unfortunately, it was just not meant to be for the Bombers tonight. They would fail to score during the ninth inning, and fall to Detroit 4-3.

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Tomorrow the Yankees wrap up their series against the Detroit Tigers in a day game in the Bronx 1:05 PM ET. For the Bombers, Masahiro Tanaka (8-9, 5.09 ERA) takes the hill looking to get his ninth win on the season. For the Tigers, Jordan Zimmermann (6-8, 5.69 ERA) gets the ball looking to get a win at Yankee Stadium.  

Winning Pitcher: Animal Sanchez (2-2, 5.83 ERA) 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 SO

Losing Pitcher: C.C. Sabathia (9-4, 3.81 ERA) 6.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 3 SO

Save: Shane Greene (1)

Notables:

Chase Headley: 0-3

Aaron Judge: 0-4

Matt Holliday: 2-3

Clint Frazier: 0-5

Didi Gregorius: 2-4, R, 3 RBI (53), HR (17)
Gary Sanchez: 2-4, 2 R

Article by: Randy Hancock

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