Yanks complete four-run comeback as Walker wins it in the ninth
Tuesday evening’s matchup saw Lance Lynn (8-9, 4.84
ERA) take the mound for the Yanks against James Shields (5-15, 4.59 ERA).
Earlier this month, Lynn made his first start as a Yankee against these same
White Sox in Chicago. He was superb, going 7.1 IP, giving up zero runs on two
hits and striking out nine batters. On Tuesday, Lynn was not as sharp, but
pitched well enough to keep the Yankees in the game. The beginning of this game
epitomized the dog days of summer: sluggish, long, tiresome and very little
action. The Bombers continued their stretch of abysmal defense, making two more
errors in the first three innings. If you thought Greg Bird could not play any
worse, you were sadly mistaken as he dropped a ball that was thrown at his
chest. Despite the defensive blunders, Lynn was able to wiggle his way out of
trouble in both innings.
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| Photo Courtesy: Yankees.com |
Once again, the Yankees
bats went cold against subpar pitching. Everyone is aware that this team is
desperately missing Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorious, but the
Yanks should be taking care of these inferior teams. There is still plenty of talent
in this lineup and there is no excuse for getting only one hit in five innings
against James Shields.
The first run of the game came in the top of the fifth when
Nicky Delmonico singled to left and then scored on a double by Avisail Garcia.
In the top of the sixth inning, the White Sox broke the game open. After Lynn
got the first two outs, Yoan Moncada singled to center and Adam Engel followed
with a single to left. Aaron Boone went to the bullpen and brought in Jonathan
Holder, who gave up an RBI single to Yolmer Sanchez and a two-run single to
Delmonico, putting the Sox up 4-0.
The Yankees showed life in the bottom of the sixth when
Brett Gardner lead off the inning with a triple to right center. The inning
almost turned into a disaster when Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Hicks both
popped up. Then, A.L. Rookie of the Year front-runner Miguel Andujar crushed a
two-run home run to left field to cut the White Sox lead to 4-2. Andujar has
been a saving grace for the Yanks this year, particularly since the big bats of
Judge and Sanchez went on the DL. In the month of August, Miggy has eight home
runs and twenty-six RBIs, hitting .330 with a .980 OPS. The rookie has been a
vital part of this team’s success. A walk to Gleyber Torres marked the end of
the night for Shields and southpaw Jace Fry entered to face Greg Bird. Bird
laced a shot to deep right-field, but Garcia would make the catch on the
warning track. Both teams failed to score in the seventh.
The White Sox called on Juan Minaya to pitch the eighth and
unfortunately for Minaya, the Yanks bats came alive. Stanton smoked a single to
right field to start off the inning and then Hicks parked a two-run home run to
right to tie the game. Dylan Covey would come in to relieve Minaya. Covey got
Andujar to ground out and struck out Luke Voit. Gleyber Torres hit a two-out
single to right and went to second on an errant pickoff attempt. It was time
for Greg Bird to finally break through, but he instead popped out to short.
Bird is 0 for his last 21. Not great.
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| Photo Courtesy: Yankees.com |
Dellin Betances was
lights out in the ninth, striking out another two batters. Then, in the bottom
of the ninth, Neil Walker pinch-hit for Ronald Torreyes and launched a bomb to
right-center to give the Yanks a 5-4 victory. Walker has been criticized by
Yankees fans all year, but he has been a solid piece for this team over the
last couple of months. Tonight was a much needed come-from-behind win for the
Bombers.
What’s
Next?
The Yanks wrap up their
three-game series with the White Sox tomorrow night at the Stadium as CC
Sabathia (7-4, 3.30 ERA) faces Reynaldo Lopez (4-9, 4.66 ERA). This will be
Sabathia’s second start since coming off the DL, as he looks to build off his
solid start in Baltimore. It looks like Didi and Sanchez will be back in the
lineup this weekend against the Tigers or for the following series against the
A’s. Thank God. This lineup needs them.
Follow @JohnKeefe1994 Follow @BronxBomberBall
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