On a sweltering night in Minneapolis at Target Field, the New York Yankees took to the field after winning two night’s in a row with the hope of sweeping the Minnesota Twins. It looked possible through the first eight innings, but in the ninth inning, the usually dependable Aroldis Chapman completely lost his focus. The final score was the Twins 9 and the New York Yankees 5.
Michael King has an okay start
Michael King entered last night’s game against the Twins looking for his first win of the season after being brought up from Scranton to help fill in for Corey Kluber, who had a shoulder problem. So far, including last night, he is winless, having taken the loss in 3 Yankee games. He has been either a reliever or starter in 8 games this season; the Yankees only won one of those games.
Last night before King even took the mound; he was rewarded with a 3 run lead after Giancarlo Stanton hit a three-run homer off ex-Yankee pitcher J.A. Happ. At the bottom, King gave a run back when Nelson Cruz had a sac fly. King gave up another earned run in the fourth, and with 69 pitches manager, Boone took him out of the game. King has not gone deep into any game this season. The Yankees still could have won the game, but closer Aroldis Chapman allowed four runs in the ninth.
Closer Aroldis Chapman imploded in loss
The normally dependable Aroldis Chapman uncharacteristically imposed and gave up four runs. Throwing only nine pitches, Polanco singled, then Donaldson followed with a homer. Gordon singled and Cruz got the second home run of the inning for the four runs in the inning and the Yankee loss.
Chapman had been lights out this whole season. Going into last night’s close, he had 22 appearances giving up just one earned run and with an ERA of 0.39. His four runs allowed last night in his 23rd game brought his ERA up to 1.96
Yankees continue to hit the ball
The New York Yankee’s lineup continued their recent hitting streak, having 12 hits in the game last night. That’s four straight games with double-digit hits. There was a good sign in last night’s game; the recently dormant DJ LeMahieu had two hits. Giancarlo Stanton continued his hot play with a 3 run homer. Gio Urshela had a long ball and his first triple of the season. Judge, Torres, and Sanchez also had hits in the game. Miguel Andujar continued his hot hitting ways, hitting two hits and getting an unusual walk. He raised his batting average to .271.
Notes:
Former New York Yankee Bernie Williams played the National Anthem on his guitar before the Yankees game in Minnesota last night.
Sanchez had another base running mistake in the sixth running to third.