Bullpen blows a great outing by CC, Andujar walks it off in the ninth as Yankees top Indians

“May the 4th Be With You” was the slogan of the night. It was only fitting that the Force was strong within the fourth inning tonight.  The Yankees had some hiccups with the bullpen but were able to ride offense by the baby bombers to a walk off win over the Indians.

Credit: Elsa/Getty Images

The Yankees threatened early on in the game, but a costly base running mistake by Aaron Judge, put an end to the threat in the top of the first inning.  In fact the Yankees stranded six runners through the first three innings.

Then the fourth inning happened.  The seven through nine hitters, who were one for three (Andujar reached on an error) at this point, were due up. Walker and Andujar got on base, setting the stage for Mr. Good Gleyber Torres. On this night, as he’s been since his call up, he was good. How good? Torres went deep for his first big league homer, a three run shot as the Yanks took a three to nothing lead.  Judge came up later in the inning and hit a solo shot to increase the lead.

Credit: Elsa/Getty Images

If Gleyber is good, then CC is great.  Just like the ole Millennium Falcon, the Bombers rode the ole reliable ace through six innings. He gave up three hits, fanned seven batters, and did not walk a batter.  Out of his 20 batters faced, 11 started with first pitch strikes, and only had two innings in which he didn’t retire the side in order. In other words, he was as dominant as can be against the reigning AL Central champs.

The Yankees grabbed another run in the bottom of the fifth, as El Kraken launched one into orbit to make it a five run lead. This home run was Tomlin’s third home run given up in this game, and 13th of the season.

Betances came on in relief of CC in the top of the seventh, and had another impressive outing.  This is something to keep an eye out for, because if he can get it together, the whole league better take notice of the Yanks.

Chasen Shreve came on with a five run lead in the eighth and gave up a walk, a hit, and then a three run homer by Bradley Zimmer, which cut their lead to two.  He gave up another hit, before finally being pulled by Boone, and greeted with a New York jeer from the Bronx faithful.

David Robertson came on in relief, and the first batter he faced resulted in Didi making a hell of a play to get Lindor at second base.  However, it did result in giving Yankee fans a scare as he was down for a good minute grabbing his head. Luckily Didi was okay, and play resumed. Unfortunately for the Yankees, the next batter Jose Ramirez hit a two run home run to tie the game, sucking the life out of the crowd.  Nine batters came up in this inning.  No longer were the Yankees living “A New Hope”, but were now caught in “The Empire Strikes Back”. 

In the bottom of the eighth the Yanks loaded the bases for Aaron Judge.  Already with a double and  a homer,  Judge worked the count full, and came through as Aaron “Skywalker” Judge, worked a walk giving the Bombers back the lead.

Top of the ninth, enter Aroldis Chapman.  After allowing a single to start the inning, Chapman followed it up by striking out Rajai Davis. With lack of control of his fastball, he hit Zimmer, setting up first and second with only one out. After getting ahead in the count, he threw a wild pitch now setting up second and third, one out. Next pitch, strike three. Now the crowd was restless. Two on, two outs, with Jason Kipnis at the plate.  Another wild pitch resulted in the tying run scoring, and Chapman giving a long stare to Gary Sanchez. This was his first blown save of the year. He eventually struck Kipnis out, but the damage had been done.

Credit: Elsa/Getty Images

Up first to salvage this game was Giancarlo Stanton.  Not having a hit in this game, and struggling at home, he led off the inning with a rocket to right, reaching second base. Sanchez flyed out to right, and Hicks grounded out to first, advancing Stanton.  Walker worked a walk, which led to the rookie Miguel “The Migs” Andujar. The rookie came through with the walk off single off Cleveland closer Cody Allen to win the game! Just like the original Star Wars trilogy ended with “Return of the Jedi” the good guys would come back and win it in the end 7-6.

Winning Pitcher: Aroldis Chapman (1-0, 1.80 ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Alexi Ogando (0-1, 18.00 ERA)

Notables:

Miguel Andujar: 2-5 Game Winning Single, 2R.

Gleyber Torres: 2-4, 3- Run HR(1st Career)

Aaron Judge: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2R, 1 BB.

CC Sabathia: 6 IP, 3H, 7K, 0BB

What’s next: Sonny Gray (1-2, 6.67)  will hope to build momentum from his last start in Houston as he faces Cleveland’s Trevor Bauer (2-2, 2.45) who not only is coming off a good start, but also has a career 2.87 ERA with 14K, 14BB in 15 and two thirds innings at Yankee Stadium. However his last start at Yankee Stadium did not result in a victory. As a matter of fact, he only lasted one and two thirds innings, allowing four runs on four hits in last year’s postseason matchup.

Article by Andrew Rohloff

Follow @RocknRolloff
Follow @BronxBomberBall