Yankees drop chippy series finale that included multiple benches clearing brawls

The Yankees were red hot, coming into the series finale winning the first two games by scores of 13-4 and 10-2 respectively. With the Yankees looking for the sweep, the Tigers weren’t going to allow another blow out. The Tigers sent out their ace Michael Fulmer to the mound to take on Jaime Garcia. Garcia has been rather consistent for the Yankees since coming over from the Minnesota Twins, but with Fulmer on the mound he had to be on top of his game. The scoring would be back in forth for most of the game, but much like the scoring, both teams went at each other three times with benches clearing brawls, involving countless ejections. Unfortunately for the Yankees, more players on their side were forced to leave. This game would be known as a slugfest for more ways than one, with a final score of 10-6 Detroit Tigers.

Photo Credit: Gregory Shamus | Getty Images

Before the haymakers were thrown, the Tigers came out with one run in the bottom of the first with a solo homer off the bat of Justin Upton. The Yankees would then respond with a run of their own in the top of the second thanks to an RBI single off the bat of Chase Headley evening the score at one. From there the red hot Gary Sanchez would continue his torrid hitting by planting another home run over the left-centerfield wall in the top of the fourth inning. It was his fourth home run of the series. The Tigers would respond with another run in the bottom of the fourth, an RBI single off the bat of John Hicks, tying the game up at two.

Heading into the fifth tied 2-2, Aaron Hicks broke the tie with a sacrifice fly to center, making the score 3-2 Yankees. But like before, the Tigers would respond and score three runs in the bottom of the fifth: Nick Castellanos sacrifice fly, a JacCoby Jones RBI single, and a Jose Iglesias ground rule double. At the end of five, it was 6-3.

Earlier in the game after his homer, Gary Sanchez was plunked on a rather suspicious pitch that hit him around the belt, creating some tension. Of course the Yankees looked to respond with Tommy Kahnle on the mound by throwing behind Miguel Cabrera, which resulted in his immediate ejection (without warnings) and Joe Girardi's ejection. After Aroldis Chapman came on to relieve Kahnle, Austin Romine and Cabrera began jawing at home plate which prompted an ugly benches clearing brawl between both sides. During the chaos, Romine would dodge a few of Miggy's punches, and Sanchez also came in swinging.

Here's the brawl for anyone who missed it 👀 pic.twitter.com/jY2HgqQTF5

— Bronx Bomber Ball (@BronxBomberBall) August 24, 2017

After the dust settled and all was fine, the Yankees would go ahead and tie the game up at six thanks to a three-run seventh. Brett Gardner would single in a run to start the scoring, followed by another Hicks sacrifice fly (on a ball that was going to be a three-run homer before it was taken back by Upton) and then be followed by an RBI single off the bat of Sanchez.

In the bottom of the seventh there was yet another benches clearing issue due to Delin Betances losing a pitch that hit James McCann square in helmet, starting an uproar. Betances was pleading his case that it was an accident, yet was still ejected just for the situation. Rob Thompson was also ejected during the uproar. David Roberston would come in to relieve him, but would eventually give up a bases clearing double off the bat Jose Iglesias. McCann would get his revenge next time up by hitting a solo homer to left, making the score 10-6.

Photo Credit: Gregory Shamus | Getty Images

The Yankees dropped the final game of this three game set in one of the craziest games of the season. Suspensions are looming over both teams, and may have repercussions on the Yankees down the stretch. Good news for the Yankees is that they are back home tomorrow night against the Seattle Mariners. The pitching matchup will be Ariel Miranda (8-6, 4.76 ERA) against C.C. Sabathia (10-5, 3.99 ERA). First pitch will be at 7:05 PM EST on YES.

Winning pitcher: Alex Wilson (2-4, 3.91 ERA): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HB (ejected)

Losing pitcher: Delin Betances (3-5, 2.30 ERA): 0.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HB (ejected)

Notables:

Gary Sanchez: 2-4, HR(27), 2 RBI, R, HBP, K

Brett Gardner: 4-5, RBI, R
Jaime Garcia: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HR

David Robertson: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HB

Jose Iglesias: 3-3, 2B, 4 RBI, BB

Justin Upton: 2-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI

Article by: Vinny Romita

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