The New York Yankees shined last night in their 9-3 win over the crosstown New York Mets. Unfortunately, the Mets, on the other hand, did not look good for a team that said this would be a bounce-back year for the team. The Yankees were errorless, and the Mets committed four errors and two plays that should have been errors. That being said, the mistakes didn’t cost the Mets much. The Yankees won on pitching and the best hitting I’ve seen from them during this summer camp.
The Yankees sent out prospect Michael King that they hope to use at some point in the regular season when needed. King did not disappoint, King went four innings with one earned run, three hits, and three strikeouts, an encouraging sign for the Yankee brass. Zack Britton and Ben Heller both pitched an inning, giving up one run apiece. The trio of Chad Green, Tommy Kahnle, and Adam Ottavino went three scoreless innings. Chad Green looked particularly sharp.
New York Mets starter Rick Porcello looked like a shadow of his former self. He went five innings while giving up three runs and striking out only three Yankees. Not only did he not pitch well, but he looked thin and even somewhat frail. If Porcello pitched poorly, the Mets bullpen was worse. The next six pitchers out of the bullpen combined for only four strikeouts while giving up six runs. Simply put, it was a pitching disaster for the Mets.
Overall over this short summer camp, I have been impressed with how the New York Yankees pitching staff seemed to be prepared and sharp, starters and relievers. Conversely, throughout summer camp, I thought the hitters were far behind the pitchers in their preparedness, with the exception of Thairo Estrada that had three homers in five intrasquad games. Last night, however, the Yankee lineup looked ready for the postseason. It was if they turned the page and said this game counts.
Gio Urshela, although he didn’t get a hit, had really good swings. The highlight of the game was the masked Clint Frazier’s monster 428′ blast into the Queen’s night. His bomb went well into the second deck of the left-field stands at Citi Park. The hitting star of the game was bench player Mike Tauchman who went 3 for 3 on the night. Miguel Andujar went 2 for 4 while making some nice catches in left field.
Although Aaron Judge was not in the lineup last night, Giancarlo Stanton was. Stanton looked good walking, hitting a double and scoring twice. Catcher Erik Kratz brought in in the ninth, had his impact on the game by singling and driving in two, in a ninth-inning where the Yankees poured it on.
The New York Yankees defense was sharp last night, Miguel Andujar did a fine job in the outfield and Gleyber Torres was errorless at short. Tyler Wade was particularly sharp playing at second in place of DJ LeMahieu making several excellent plays. The Yankees may need him if DJ is not ready to start on opening day. Also in the ninth Zack Granite made a great catch at the wall.
The New York Mets hitters, for the most part, looked impotent, with the exception of 1st baseman Pete Alonso who racked up two hits. I was impressed with Amed Rosario’s stand up triple; he ran like the wind. I was somewhat surprised to see Yoenis Cespedes in the lineup last night. He hasn’t played for two years, and it showed last night as he went 0-4.
If the New York Mets are going to have a bounceback year, they are going to have to play better than they did last night. Looking forward, if the New York Yankees continue to look as sharp at the plate and in the field, is any indication, they look great going into the season. The Mets will have another chance at the Yankees tonight at 7 pm at Yankee Stadium. Tonight the Mets Oswalt will face the Yankees Jordan Montgomery.
As far as the atmosphere was concerned, I was a bit surprised. I really thought that cutouts of fans in the stands were pretty corny, I really didn’t mind it, it added a bit of color compared to empty seats behind home plate. I also didn’t mind the lack of sound in the stadium. It may just be because I have been so anxious to see baseball restart.
I’d like to close by discussing Clint Frazier for a moment. I have never been a big Frazier fan. Realizing that he is definitely a talent with a sweet swing, I always thought his lack of maturity would hold him back. He has obviously been a work in progress in his defense, but how he handles himself by not taking responsibility for poor play, has been a turn-off.
It’s possible that we are seeing a new Clint Frazier this season. His statement about why he wears a mask on the field is inspiring, and at the same time, it may show that he has turned the page on his responsibility issues. The young man could have a great future with the New York Yankees and I hope he does.