Yankees bats explode for 16 runs as they win the rubber game versus the Rangers 16-7

The Yankees offense absolutely demolished Texas pitching in the rubber game of this three-game set. They broke out for 18 hits, 16 runs, and nine XBHs. Jordan Montgomery had a short hook and was only able to give the team 3.1 innings, but the offense had no problem backing up the short outing. Despite the high scoring game, Girardi still elected to give Chad Green, Dellin Betances, and Tommy Kahnle work out of the bullpen.  

Photo Credit: AP

The Yankees struck first as Gary Sanchez blasted a solo home run in the top of the first to give the Yankees an early 1-0 lead. However, the lead did not last long as Robinson Chirinos continued his breakout season by launching his 17th home run of the season in the bottom of the second inning. Montgomery pitched into trouble in the same inning after a walk, single, and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with Delino DeShields up to bat. Fortunately, Montgomery got a much needed ground ball to retire DeShields and prevent any further damage.

Didi Gregorius put the Yankees back on top with an RBI double in the top of the third inning. Aaron Judge followed with a solid piece of situational hitting as he hit a sacrifice fly to score Gary Sanchez and extend the Yankees’ lead to two runs.

The offense kept on rolling as Brett Gardner tripled in two more runs in the top of the fourth to increase the Yankee lead to five runs. Chase Headley got in on the action as well by singling in Gardner to make it 6-1 Yankees, and Didi then drove in his 70th run of the season with an RBI single of his own to make it 7-1. Starlin Castro put another run on the board after he grounded into a double play, but scored Gary Sanchez. Just when everyone thought the damage was done, Aaron Judge smashed his American League leading 40th home run off of RHP Nick Martinez. The Yankees hit for the cycle off of Nick Martinez in the fourth inning.

Photo Credit: AP

The Rangers started to chip away in the bottom of the fourth as Ryan Rua lined an RBI double to left field and Delino DeShields hit a sacrifice fly to cut the Yankees lead to five runs. Jordan Montgomery saw an early exit after just 79 pitches and 3.1 innings of work. He was replaced by Chad Green.

The Yankees got their runs back in the top of the fifth as Didi Gregorius earned his fourth hit of the day with a two-run single to right field to score Ellsbury and Romine. Didi was tagged out to end the inning as he took too wide of a turn at first base.

The Rangers scored their fourth run of the game in the bottom of the fifth off of Chad Green as Elvis Andrus hit his 41st double, and Mike Napoli followed with an RBI single.

Aaron Judge showed off some more power in the sixth inning as he mashed his second home run of the game and 41st of the season. His long ball extended the Yankees lead to eight runs.

Gary Sanchez joined the multi-homer club for the day as he blasted home run number 30 in the eighth inning. A few September call ups got into the action as well as Tyler Wade singled in a run, and Erik Kratz doubled in his Yankee debut to drive in two more runs and make it a 16-6 game.

Dellin Betances and Caleb Smith finished the game, but both of them allowed runs in their low leverage outings.

The Yankees are now 3.5 games out of first place, and they will head to Citi Field to play the Tampa Bay Rays in a crucial three game series on Monday.

Winning Pitcher: Chad Green (4-0, 2.00 ERA) 2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 K

Losing Pitcher: AJ Griffin (6-6, 5.50 ERA) 3.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 HR

Notables:

Gary Sanchez 3-4, 2 HR(30), 3 RBI

Aaron Judge 2-2, 2 HR(41), 3 RBI

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

Brett Gardner 2-5, 1 3B, 2 RBI

Austin Romine 3-5, 1 2B

Erik Kratz 1-1, 1 2B, 2 RBI
Jordan Montgomery 3.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

Article by: Ryan Thoms

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