The New York Yankees game last night, against the Angels, was filled with three things, tremendous highs, unbelievable lows, and rain delays. First, the rain delays, one for 42 minutes and another for 91 minutes. Before the rain delay, the Yankee fans were jubilant after scoring 7 runs in the first inning against the phenom Shohei Ohtani. However, after the rain delays, the Yankees were left in shambles as they blew a 4 run lead in the ninth. As a result, the Yankees lost the game 11-8. The game ended at 1:12 am today.
Ohtani bombed out in the first.
The Los Angeles Angels put their star pitcher Shohei Ohtani on the mound last night and announced he would also be the DH. However, he never got to hit a single ball because he was out of the game in only 2/3 of an inning. Ohtani may be a great hitter, but he didn’t impress as a pitcher last night as he walked three and allowed a single to Stanton for the first Yankees run. By the time he was removed, only getting one out, he had allowed seven Yankee runs.
New York Yankee starter Domingo German was nothing to celebrate either; he had his third bad game in a row last night, giving up three runs in three innings. German had no command of his pitches. He gave up three hits for three earned runs.
At the top of the first inning, German faced the incredible Shohei Ohtani that was pitching and leading off for the Angels; he is the first pitcher to lead off against the Yankees since 1968. He flew out to Brett Gardner in left-center. Anthony Rendon walked. Jared Walsh flew out to Andujar with the extreme shift on. Phil Gosselin got a two-run homer to center for the Angels’ two-run lead. Fletcher flew out to end the inning. German gave up another run in the second, Taylor Ward walked. Juan Lagares hit a double driving in Ward. After loading the bases bearly getting out of another jam, German was removed from the game.
The biggest loss of Aaron Boone’s tenure
Last night Aaron Boone may have endured the worst loss of his management career. Many are calling for Boone to be fired and replaced by someone more competent. Last night’s loss may only add fire to those desires. No, Boone didn’t lose the game, Aroldis Chapman did, but the Yankees couldn’t hold the lead after scoring seven runs in the first inning. After the freaky first inning, the Yankees returned to the Yankees; they have been most of the season. They did not score another run until the eighth inning when Brett Gardner hit a solo home run. They returned to the team they have been, hitting into double plays and leaving men on base. They were 3 for 12 with runners in scoring position. After Chapman gave up the lead in the ninth, the Yankees went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
If there were any bright spots in the game, it was the first time in Yankee history that they had gotten seven runs in the first inning of any game. The other is the two relievers returning from the IL, Justin Wilson and Darren O’Day, who combined two scoreless innings of relief.
Chapman was a total mess in the ninth
Aroldis Chapman took to the mound in the ninth with a four-run lead to work with. Taylor Ward walked. Juan Lagares hit into a force at second. Stassi walked. Rendon also walked the bases loaded. Jered Walsh hit a grand slam against Chapman to tie the game. It was the first Grand Slam given up by Chapman in his career. Here are some disturbing facts: Chapman has allowed eight walks in his last four outings. He gave up the first grand slam of the ninth inning since 1986. It is the first time the Yankees have given up a 4 run lead in the ninth since 2000. Chapman, in his first 18 games, had an ERA of 0.00. In his last 13 games, his ERA is 6.55. If Chapman continues to pitch as he has recently, the Yankees are doomed.
Lucas Luetge was brought on to end the bleeding. Gosselin walked. Fletcher singled to center. Iglesias with men on the corners struck out. Rengifo got a line drive to left, driving in two runs. Ward doubled to left, driving in another run. Lagares struck out to finally end the half. Angels 11 Yankees 8. The New York Yankees are going backward. Just over a week ago, they had climbed to just four games out of first in the AL East; they are now 8 1/2 games behind the East-leading Boston Red Sox.