New York Wins Their 7th Straight As They Sweep Saint Louis

The team from the Bronx that has gotten younger just keeps on rolling as they swept Saint Louis Sunday and improved their record to 8-4 while Saint Louis drops to 3-9. 

First baseman Greg Bird had a lot to do with the outcome of the finale in sweeping Saint Louis as he burst out of his 0-for-20 slump, and Michael Pineda handcuffed the Cardinals' offense on Sunday night to lead the Yankees to a 9-3 victory that sealed a three-game Interleague sweep and extended their winning streak to seven games. With the win, the Yankees have opened the season 6-0 at home for the first time since 1998. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/224776130/yankees-sweep-cardinals-for-7th-straight-win/

Greg Bird, who had one hit in 30 plate appearances entering the night, reached base four times, most notably with a second-inning blast that put the Yankees ahead, 3-1. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/224776130/yankees-sweep-cardinals-for-7th-straight-win/ He had this to say about his home run 

It's just nice to be back on the board and back to contributing to the team," Bird said.

Pineda fans six in seven innings

Michael Pineda strikes out six in seven innings in his second straight strong outing, allowing only two runs on six hits and one walk.

The Bird home run was one of 10 hits surrendered by Cardinals' starter Adam Wainwright, whose ERA swelled to 7.24 with four runs allowed in 4 2/3 innings. The Yankees might have done more damage against him, too, if not for three double plays turned by the Cardinals. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/224776130/yankees-sweep-cardinals-for-7th-straight-win/

Pineda gave the Yankees their third quality start of the series with seven strong innings. He stranded two in each of the first two innings before settling down and retiring 12 of 13 batters during one mid-game stretch. A Yadier Molina solo homer ended that run. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/224776130/yankees-sweep-cardinals-for-7th-straight-win/

New York pounded out five more runs in the eighth to put the game out of reach. Miguel Socolovich didn't retire one of the five batters he faced, including Bird, who punctuated his three-hit night with a single. Austin Romine and Ronald Torreyes followed with two-run doubles. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/224776130/yankees-sweep-cardinals-for-7th-straight-win/

With the loss and a 1-5 road trip, the Cardinals are off to their worst 12-game start (3-9) since 1988. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/224776130/yankees-sweep-cardinals-for-7th-straight-win/

"When we're playing really clean and we're just getting outplayed, that's one thing," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "We've had just a stretch here of some games where mistakes happen and they get capitalized on. We know there's a whole different level of baseball we have in us. Since April started, we haven't really seen that yet."

 One pitch after play was paused to determine if Aaron Judge's triple should be reversed to a home run (it wasn't), Bird left no question about the destination of his hit when he crushed a Wainwright fastball a projected 429 feet with an exit velocity of 107.5 mph for his first home run, according to Statcast™. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/224776130/yankees-sweep-cardinals-for-7th-straight-win/

"I made exactly the same pitch I was trying to throw," Wainwright said. "I threw a sinker that started off the plate and came back in. Usually, most hitters will take that. He's been grinding trying to find hits. Tonight, he broke out of that." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/224776130/yankees-sweep-cardinals-for-7th-straight-win/

"It was a fastball. ... I'm always trying to hit off the fastball," Bird said. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/224776130/yankees-sweep-cardinals-for-7th-straight-win/

New York continues their homestand Monday at Yankee Stadium as they host the White Sox. Rookie pitcher Jordan Montgomery will be making his second start in the majors he has a record of 0-0 to go along with a 3.86 earn run average.  He will face Chicago White Sox left -hander Mike Holland who has a record of 1-1 with an earn run average of 1.50. "according to tohttp://m.mlb.com/player/502706/derek-holland

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm. The game will be televised on WGN. "according to http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/schedule/?c_id=cws#y=2017&m=4&calendar=DEFAULT