Brett Gardner Breaks Out The Bat As New York Thrashes Houston In The Opener
New York rebounded in a big way Friday in Houston after their late series finale in Chicago Thursday night against the Whitesox as they thrashed Houston thanks to large part to veteran left-fielder Brett Gardner.
Brett Gardner said that he "wasn't sure what to expect" when the bleary-eyed Yankees shuffled into the visiting clubhouse at Minute Maid Park on Friday afternoon, trying to shake off some low-quality sleep and the sight of rookie Dustin Fowler's gruesome knee injury the previous night in Chicago. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239822928/brett-gardner-hits-3rd-career-slam-in-key-spot/
It was a much more preferable sight when Gardner launched his third career grand slam, a towering seventh-inning drive to right field that blew open an eventual 13-4 win over the Astros. As Gardner crossed home plate, he emphatically slammed forearms with Ronald Torreyes, Tyler Wade and Chris Carter laughed. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239822928/brett-gardner-hits-3rd-career-slam-in-key-spot/
Brett Gardner had this to say. "I'm too small to hurt somebody, man," said Gardner, whose slam gave the visitors a 10-3 lead. "If I don't, those guys might hurt me. It was a big swing of the bat and a big four runs. It really opened up the game and we pulled away. I knew everybody would be tired, but it turned out to be a great game." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239822928/brett-gardner-hits-3rd-career-slam-in-key-spot/
The blast off reliever James Hoyt was Gardner's 15th homer of the year and his first slam since May 12, 2014, of former Mets righty Bartolo Colon It came as part of a six-RBI performance that tied his career high and also equaled Aaron Hicks for the most RBIs in a game by a Yankee this year. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239822928/brett-gardner-hits-3rd-career-slam-in-key-spot/
As for their offense, Nine of the Yankees' 13 runs were scored with two outs, including Gardner's slam, which came off his bat at 104.9 mph and traveled a Statcast-calculated 399 feet. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239822928/brett-gardner-hits-3rd-career-slam-in-key-spot/
"You just never give at-bats away. You keep grinding out at-bats," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Guys put a ton of good at-bats and then you get the huge blow from Gardy, the grand slam on 3-2. It looked like a split to me, against a strikeout pitcher. Really good." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239822928/brett-gardner-hits-3rd-career-slam-in-key-spot/
Hoyt fell behind Gardner 2-0 before getting him to swing and miss at an 82.5-mph slider. Ball three ran low out of the zone and Gardner whacked two pitches foul before Hoyt placed an 82.3-mph slider over the plate. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239822928/brett-gardner-hits-3rd-career-slam-in-key-spot/
Gardner said that he wasn't thinking about hitting a slam in that situation." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239822928/brett-gardner-hits-3rd-career-slam-in-key-spot/
"I'm just looking to drive a ball and get a base hit," Gardner said. "We got to 3-2, he threw me a slider and I fouled it off. He threw me another one and left it up and I took a good swing at it. It was just a patient at-bat and I was able to see some pitches; saw a couple of fastballs, saw several breaking balls. He threw me a good pitch to hit and I didn't miss it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239822928/brett-gardner-hits-3rd-career-slam-in-key-spot/
New York improved to 43-35 on the season and is now one game back in the American League East of their rival Boston who leading the American League East. Meanwhile, Houston who is leading the American League West drops to 54-27 on the season.
New York and Houston will play game two of their three -game series Saturday.
Left-hander Jordan Montgomery will take the mound for New York. He has a record of 6-4 with a 3.53 earn run average. Montgomery is coming off a superb one- run, seven inning effort against Chicago at Guaranteed Rate Field that was his fourth straight win. This will the rookie's second go around with the Astros that excel against lefty pitchers. He will take on Houston right -hander Francis Martes who has a record of 2-0 with a 5.51 earn run average. Martes will make his fourth MLB start and his first against the Yankees. In his last outing, he allowed two -runs on two hits and four walks, Lasting only two innings against the Mariners. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/07/01/491316#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491316
First pitch is set for 7:15 pm. The game will be televised on Fox.