The New York Yankees came into Tuesday’s night showdown against the San Diego Padres looking to keep the winning ways going. However, the Yankees, led by pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, dug themselves in a first inning hole. Tanaka was responsible for three of the four runs allowed in the inning.
The only run he wasn’t responsible for was when Padres leadoff man and second baseman, Greg Garcia, reached on an error by third baseman DJ LeMahieu. Tanaka also allowed a hit in the first to DH Franmil Reyes and a RBI single to Manny Machado, scoring Garcia from second. Eric Hosmer would deliver the biggest blow of the game, hitting a three run homerun to give the Padres a 4-0 lead.
Yankees Showed Fight Like Always
Despite falling behind 4-0, it didn’t deter the Yankees from fighting and starting a rally. Gary Sanchez, like he did on Monday afternoon against the Padres, smashed another homerun. Sanchez was able to crush a 92 MPH fastball from San Diego’s starter, Eric Lauer, who hadn’t allowed a run in 3 1/3 innings pitched.
The bats would go a bit quiet for the Yankees, and their deficit would grow as well. The Padres added another run, which Garcia bunted for a hit, and it scored Ty France. But it didn’t stop the Yankees from fighting.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Luke Voit and Aaron Hicks, who had two hits on the night, both had singles. But Sanchez would strike out on a slider and Gleyber Torres flied out to left to squander a big opportunity.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Yankees broke through, scoring three runs in the inning to cut the deficit to 5-4. LeMahieu would make up for his error, hitting a two run single that scored Thairo Estrada and Kendrys Morales. Voit would also get another single to load the bases for Hicks, who drove in Brett Gardner on a fielders choice.
In the top of the eighth inning, Will Myers was hit by a pitch that put him on first base. Then, Freeze would double to right and it advance Manuel Margot, who reached on a fielders choice, to third. Padres catcher Austin Hedges reached on a walk, loading the bases. Yankees manager Aaron Boone would elect to bring in Luis Cessa with the bases loaded to face Reyes. His decision would work out, as Cessa got him to ground out into a fielders choice.
Yankees Couldn’t Complete The Rally
After Cessa did his part to keep the score at 5-4, the Yankees hitters didn’t do their part to complete the comeback. In the bottom of the eighth inning, San Diego’s relief pitcher, Craig Stammen, retired Torres, Sanchez, and Clint Frazier in order.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Padres elected to go to their closer, Kirby Yates, who entered the game with 20 saves on the year. But Gio Urshela got things going in the inning, hitting a shallow single to left.
Most anticipated another comeback, which wouldn’t have been surprising considering the resiliency the Yankees have shown all season. But it just wasn’t in the cards. After a Gardner grounded out into a fielders choice to second, LeMahieu came up to the plate. He would hit into a game ending double play that killed any hope of completing the comeback.
What’s Next For The Yankees?
Despite dropping the second game of the three game set against the Padres, all is not lost. The Yankees are scheduled to have James Paxton (3-2 3.11 ERA) return to the mound. Paxton will be returning from the 10-day injured list (knee). In his start Wednesday afternoon against San Diego, he’s expected to throw 60-75 pitches.
The Padres are scheduled to counter with their ace, Chris Paddack (4-2 1.93 ERA), who missed his last start against the Toronto Blue Jays due to neck stiffness. Having Paddack back is something the Padres are obviously ecstatic about.
So the Yankees will have their hands full with him, but counting them out is a mistake. Resiliency and getting over losses quickly have been key to the Yankees success this season. So don’t expect anything different Wednesday afternoon.