New York Looks To Rebound As They Take On Kansas City
New York who had to play a doubleheader on Sunday when they hosted Houston had two different results a win in the afternoon game by a score of 10-6 and a loss on the night the captain Derek Jeter's number two was retired to Monument Park which was the last single digit number remaining! The final score was 10-7 as New York dropped to 22-13 on the season.
Alex Bregman bounded into the dugout and excitedly tugged at the front of his uniform jersey. On the night when the Yankees retired Derek Jeter's number, the Astros' No. 2 slugged a first-inning grand slam that helped lead his club to a 10-7 victory and a split of Sunday's doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. "
Alex Bregman wears the digit in homage to the Yankees legend, and his first career grand slam was one of three first-inning homers off Masahiro Tanaka. George Springer and Josh Reddick cracked back-to-back shots to open the game as Houston batted around in the first inning.
"It was as great series win," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "This is a good team across the way, and we had some interesting games, but to come here and play in this ballpark and win three out of four, especially including a doubleheader in which we had to scratch and claw both games, that's a good series win."
New York ace Masahiro Tanaka meanwhile had a rough night as he was chased for eight runs in 1/2/3 innings after former New York player Carlos Beltran now with Houston hit an RBI. Springer added a second homer in the second inning as the Astros bounced back from an 11-6 loss in the first game of the twin bill. Lacking both his splitter and slider, Tanaka was rocked for a career-high. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/230195386/alex-bregmans-grand-slam-leads-astros-win/
Masahiro Tanaka had this to say about his outing There's times like this during the season, and you just have to battle through it," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "They took some really good swings on pitches, and I think they were flat." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/230195386/alex-bregmans-grand-slam-leads-astros-win/
Kansas City meanwhile has a record of 16-21 and is coming off a one-run win by a score of 9-8 Sunday against Baltimore where the sun affected their game to some extent.
None of the Royals assumed anything was an out once a ball sailed up into the bright blue sky at Kauffman Stadium on Sunday. "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/230287554/royals-make-great-defensive-plays-vs-orioles/
The sun played havoc on pop-ups and fly balls, and that was evident throughout the Royals' wild 9-8 win over the Orioles. "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/230287554/royals-make-great-defensive-plays-vs-orioles/
Early on, Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas lost a Ryan Flaherty pop-up that fell for a single. Moments later, shortstop Alcides Escobar lost a pop-up by Jonathan Schoop, found it, lost it again, then found it again and made the catch. "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/230287554/royals-make-great-defensive-plays-vs-orioles/
"On the one I dropped, I had it on the way up and then lost it," Moustakas said. "I hoped it would come out of the sun, but it never did. "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/230287554/royals-make-great-defensive-plays-vs-orioles/
"It was a tough day with the sun and combined with the wind. But the outfielders did a great job, and Esky picked me up a couple of times. Great job by everyone." "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/230287554/royals-make-great-defensive-plays-vs-orioles/
Alex Gordon had this to say about Sunday's game. Me and Lorenzo actually know the time of the day on day games when it's going to be bad for either of us," Gordon said. "Early in the game, I'll say 'Ball in the gap is yours.' Then as the sun moves, it's my ball in the gap. We just know." "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/230287554/royals-make-great-defensive-plays-vs-orioles/
That communication was especially true in a crazy eighth inning. After a leadoff single by Orioles leadoff man Seth Smith, Schoop sent a drive to right-center that Cain caught while crashing into the fence. Right fielder Jorge Bonifacio was nearby in case Cain lost the ball in the sun, which was a good thing because Cain, after tumbling to the ground, tossed the ball to Bonifacio, who threw back into the infield to keep Smith at first. "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/230287554/royals-make-great-defensive-plays-vs-orioles/
In the fifth inning, Baltimore had two on and two out when Joey Rickard skied a fly ball to deep left-center. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain couldn't find the ball but at the last second, left fielder Alex Gordon raced over to make the play, saving at least two runs. "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/230287554/royals-make-great-defensive-plays-vs-orioles/
New York will look to rebound tonight as they visit Kansas City and open up a three -game set at Kauffman Stadium. New York left -hander CC Sabathia will take on Kansas City right-hander Jason Hammel. CC Sabathia has a record of 2-2 with a 5.77 earn run average to go along with twenty-seven strikeouts while he has pitched to an 8.14 earn run average in the first three innings of games this season, while he holds a 2.70 earn run average in four through six. The 36-year old left -hander has allowed five or more runs in his previous three starts. Meanwhile, right -hander Jason Hammel will get the start for Kansas City and he has a record of 1-4 with a 5.97 earn run average to go along with thirty -one strikeout. In his last start, he gave up thirteen hits to go along with six earned runs over seven innings on Wednesday against Tampa Bay. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-royals/2017/05/16/490687#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490687 series opener against Kansas City just what CC Sabathia needs to get back in the win column? Will the New York offense be able to rough up Jason Hammel who gave up thirteen hits and six earned runs in his previous start against Tampa Bay? Will Kansas City be able to play defense a little better than they did on Sunday where the sun wreaked havoc during the game?
First pitch is set for 8:15 pm. The game will be televised on the Major League Baseball Network and Yes.