Last evening the New York Yankees went into their third game of a 3 game set, losing the first two games against their nemesis Tampa Bay Ray losing 9 of the last ten games at Tropicana Field. The Yankees pulled out a win using new and old players in a gutsy 10th inning win. The New York Yankees won the game 8 to 4 against the Rays.
Jordan Montgomery did what he had to
After an excellent start in a Baltimore Orioles game, Jordan Montgomery, when he went six innings with no runs, seven strikeouts, and no walks, took on the Rays in the third game of the set between the Tampa Bay Rays. It was obvious early that in this game, Monty did not have his best stuff, but he made the pitches he had to to keep the Yankees in the game. He gave up 4 runs in five innings.
Nevertheless, he held strong and gave the Yankees a much-needed five innings of work for an already overworked New York Yankees bullpen. He pitched to 23 of Ray’s hitters. He struck out 4 Rays and walked two after not allowing a walk in his first game. Although his performance was nothing like his first game, he ground it out through five innings, still giving the Yankee a chance to advance in the game.
A new Yankee made his mark
Last night was the debut of second baseman Rougned Odor in pinstripes. He didn’t disappoint. When it counted in the tenth inning of a tied game, he, with men on the corners and two outs, became a Yankee hero in his first game as a Yankee; he popped one into no man’s land in center field that scored Hicks for the Yankee lead. Odor played second base as LeMahieu moved to first base to give Jay Bruce a day off after several disappointing starts. Odor and the Yankees couldn’t be happier with his situational hitting.
After Odor’s single, Gio Urshela that was 4 for 4 in the game, drove to center bringing in two runs for the Yankee 4 run lead. Urshela moved to third on the error by Margot. Gardner stuck out. Yankees 8 Rays 4.
Yankee bullpen stellar again
The New York Yankee bullpen has been a Godsend this season so far, as the Yankees’ starting pitching, in general, has not gone deep into games. Last night was no different. Starter Jordan Montgomery got the Yankees through five innings, turning it over to the bullpen. Chad Green came in and in 2.1 innings, did not allow a run, and struck out 3 while walking none.
Coming into the game, the New York Yankee bullpen had a 1.92 ERA only surpassed by Atlanta and the San Diego Padres. Green was replaced by Darren O’Day in the eighth and Aroldis Chapman in the ninth; neither allowed a run while striking out 4 Rays. In the tenth inning, Albert Abreu struck out two and allowed the Yankees to hold on to the 8-4 win.
The final score was the New York Yankees 8 and the Tampa Bay Rays 4. Aroldis Chapman got the win. Gio Urshela greatly improved his season performance by going 4 for 4 and driving in two runs for the Yankee 4 runs lead. Yankees had 7 walks, more than they had in their last 3 games combined. That’s what Boone means when he talks about controlling the zone, having disciplined at-bats, and extending at-bats. Even Odor’s at-bat was an example of that as he laid off a couple of 2-strike pitches. Overall it was a happy night for the New York Yankees as they head into a 3 game set with the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida.
Tomorrow at 7:07 pm, the Yankees will take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Dunedin, Florida. Dunedin is the home playing field for the Blue jays as they are still not allowed to play at Roger’s Center in Toronto. The Yankee ace Gerrit Cole will face Robbie Ray in his first start after entering the new season on the IL. The game will be televised in Canada on SNET and in the New York area on the YES Network.