Yankees make too many mistakes in 6-3 loss to Astros

The Yankees looked to rebound from their ugly loss in game one of their series against the Astros. Even though they did lead two different times, but weren’t able to hold on to it. The bullpen wasn’t good enough yet again, the defense wasn’t sound, and they only managed to get five hits. At the end of the day there was a very similar feel to the first game. 

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith

Luke Voit got the Yankees on the board early in the game, when he took the sixth pitch that Gerrit Cole threw 405 feet deep to center field. It was Voit’s third home run in the early season, and it got the Yankees a 1-0 lead. 

Jonathon Loaisiga had a very impressive first inning, as he struck out George Springer, Jose Altuve, and Alex Bregman in order, but the next couple weren’t as clean. In the bottom of the second, Michael Brantley started the action with a leadoff double that tipped off Clint Frazier’s glove at the end of a dive. After a wild pitch and a walk to Carlos Correa, Yuli Gurriel hit a sac fly to tie the game. With one out in the next inning Loaisiga grooved a 3-1 fastball to Jose Altuve, who didn’t miss it, and hit his second home run of the series to give the Astros a 2-1 lead. 

After allowing six hitters to reach base in his first three innings, Boone decided to end Loaisiga’s night early. Stephen Tarpley pitched a scoreless fourth, and Boone then brought in Luis Cessa who pitched another scoreless 1.2 innings.

The Yankees offense came back to life in the sixth inning. Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge started it off with back to back walks. Next, Luke Voit hit a groundball that looked sure to be a double play, but the throw was dropped by Gurriel on the back end which allowed Voit to reach first. With men on the corners, Gary Sanchez then ripped a double into left field that allowed both runners to score and gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead. 

Jonathon Holder was the next Yankees pitcher to appear after Luis Cessa. With two outs in the seventh, Bregman hit another ball that Frazier dove for, and wasn’t quite able to get, which turned into a double. After the next batter, Michael Brantley, hit a double, Holder’s night was over, and the Astros tied the game at three apiece. 

In the eighth Chad Green was on to pitch for the Yankees. He let up a leadoff hit to Gurriel, and one out later, he walked Robinson Chirinos, and Tony Kemp, who are the Astros eight and nine hitters. With the bases loaded George Springer doubled to left, which scored two, and gave the Astros a 5-3 lead. Tommy Kahnle then entered to take over for Green, and Altuve immediately hit a sac fly to make it a 6-3 game. 

After the game, the Yankees optioned Jonathon Loaisiga back to Scranton. No corresponding move has been announced yet, but it is possible we could see C.C. Sabathia rejoining the team shortly.

What’s Next?

The Yankees and Astros will finish their three-game series Wednesday night at 7:40. James Paxton (1-1, 4.09 ERA) will be making his third start on the mound for the Yankees, while the Astros will give the ball to right-hander Collin McHugh (1-1, 2.45 ERA). The game will be on YES. 

Article by: Chase Seibold

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