New York Returns Home To Take On Cleveland
After coming back in Houston Thursday in the finale New York will return to the Bronx for a three -game series against Cleveland who is a member of the American League Central starting Friday.
For the opener New York will start 37 -year old veteran left -hander CC Sabathia who was drafted by Cleveland in 1998 as the twentieth pick. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/history/draft/_/year/1998
CC Sabathia comes into the game against Cleveland with a record of 2-0 with a 1.71 earn run average. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/4553/cc-sabathia Sabathia will be looking for his third consecutive win, opening the weekend set with the Indians. Since returning from the disabled list on April 19, Sabathia has gone 2-0 with a 0.52 ERA in three starts, permitting one earned run in 17 1/3 innings. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose Cleveland right -hander Josh Tomlin who comes in the game against New York with a record of 0-4 with an earn run average of 9.16. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30944/josh-tomlin Tomlin's struggles continued Sunday, when he allowed six runs on 10 hits (two homers) in six innings against Seattle. The righty has allowed 10 home runs in 18 2/3 innings this year. He has an 8.57 ERA in 21 career innings at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy
New York comes into the game against Cleveland with a record of 21-10. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/team/schedule/_/name/nyy/new-york-yankees and is coming off a comeback win over Houston Thursday afternoon.
Gleyber Torres blooped a game-tying two-run single and Aaron Judge knocked home the winning run on a fielder's choice as the Yankees punched back, overcoming the Astros' late push to earn a 6-5 victory at Minute Maid Park, securing their 12th victory in 13 games and capping a 6-1 swing through Anaheim and Houston. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
We compete every day," Torres said. "This team is super good right now. We're on the same page every day, every night. We compete and we try to win every game." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
Down to their final three outs, a walk and two hits loaded the bases against Will Harris. Torres greeted Brad Peacock with a soft fly ball to left field that fell in, chasing home Neil Walker and Miguel Andujar. After a flyout, Judge hit a sharp grounder to the left side of the infield and the Astros were unable to turn the double play as Aaron Hicks trotted home. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/"Our guys never, never mail it in,"
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "They just strung together a lot of quality at-bats late in that game to pull it out. That's a good day right therec-275094668 "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for the save, though in fitting fashion for this taut series, even that did not come without tension. Chapman struck out pinch-hitter Evan Gattis for what should have been the final out, but it skipped away from catcher Gary Sanchez for a wild pitch. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
George Springer singled to bring up Jose Altuve, at which point Boone said that he nudged infield coach Carlos Mendoza, commenting on what great theatre was taking place in front of them. Chapman's adrenaline spiked, and he pumped three straight 101-mph fastballs past the reigning AL MVP. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
"I had full confidence that Chappy would come through there," Boone said. "He really reached back for a little extra with Altuve." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
Masahiro Tanaka had cruised through six scoreless frames, carrying on the terrific work by a pitching staff that blanked the defending World Series champions over 28 consecutive innings in this series. Two hits and a contested hit by pitch set the table for a four-run Houston rally in the seventh inning. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
With New York leading, 3-0, Yuli Gurriel and Josh Reddick opened the seventh with hits off Tanaka before Alex Bregman claimed to have been hit by an up-and-in sinker that came close to his uniform sleeve. The Yankees challenged, but the call was ruled to stand after review."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
"I think the batters got to the ball well," Tanaka said. "I don't think I had my best stuff, but I felt like I was able to be unpredictable [earlier in the game]." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
Chad Green entered in relief, permitting a run-scoring infield hit to Marwin Gonzalez before Brian McCann ripped an RBI single to right field. Bregman scored the tying run as catcher Sanchez was charged with a passed ball, and Springer brought home the go-ahead run with a groundout to the mound. Carlos Correa hit an eighth-inning homer to make it a 5-3 game. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. struggled early before settling in. The first four Yankees reached base in the second inning against the right-hander, with Ronald Torreyes legging out a run-scoring infield hit and Torres lifting a sacrifice fly. New York extended the lead in the third inning as Didi Gregorius doubled and scored on Walker's RBI single. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
"It's good. We won. That's the most important thing," Torres said. "Everybody does the job. I put in something to help my team. We compete every day." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
SOUND SMART
At 21 years and 141 days, Torres is the youngest Yankee with a three-RBI game since Derek Jeter (20 years, 343 days) drove in three runs in an 11-3 victory over the Angels on June 4, 1995. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-w
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Torreyes has a knack for doing something to contribute to the effort every time his name is in the lineup. Not only did he drive in the Yankees' first run, but Torreyes soared to make an excellent diving stab to his right in the second inning, taking a hit away from Gurriel.n/c-275094668 "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
HE SAID IT
"It has to do with his preparation. He's a guy that comes here every day and prepares himself very well. That allows him to stay cool in a tough situation."
-- Andujar, on Torres "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
The Yankees challenged in the seventh inning after Bregman claimed to have been hit by a Tanaka sinker that came up and in to the right-handed batter. The replay was reviewed for two minutes and 43 seconds, at which time the call was ruled to stand. "according tohttps://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rally-vs-astros-to-earn-series-win/c-275094668
With the win New York improves to 21-10 and is now one game back in second place behind their rival Boston who is leading the American League East. With the loss Houston who is a member of the American League West drops to 20-13 in the regular season and is second in that division behind the Los Angeles Angels who are leading the division. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/standings
Cleveland meanwhile comes into the game is also coming off a win on Thursday against a American League East Foe Of New York as they beat Toronto and improved their record to 17-14 on the regular season. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-indians
Jose Ramirez sent a pitch into the right-field stands on Thursday night and it was like a cork had popped on a pressurized bottle. The fifth-inning shot ignited an overwhelming rally that kept rolling from batter to batter a dozen times over."according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
Thursday's doubleheader was exhausting enough on its own, but the Tribe's hitters were even more fatigued from sprinting around the basepaths so often in a 13-4 romp over the Blue Jays at Progressive Field. The lopsided nightcap in the day's twin bill included a nine-run outpouring in the fifth, a game after Cleveland put up a seven-run fourth in a 13-11, 11 inning loss in the opener."according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
The teams played 20 innings and combined for 41 runs on 56 hits in seven hours and 58 minutes of baseball. How does a player's legs feel after a day like that? "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
"What legs?" Francisco Lindor said with a laugh. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
A taxed Tribe pitching staff could not capitalize on the wealth of run support in Game 1, but rookie Adam Plutko came to the rescue. In the Indians' win, Plutko took the hill for his first career start in the big leagues and worked into the eighth inning. That nine-run eruption in the fifth was more than sufficient in making the righty's effort hold up."according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
It was just last year (on July 25-26, against the Angels) that the Indians last enjoyed seven-run innings in consecutive games, but the latest feat was rare for a doubleheader. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Cleveland became the first team to score at least seven runs in an inning in both ends of a twin bill since the A's achieved the feat on July 22, 1975, on the road against the Tigers."according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
"It happened fast," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "We took advantage of it and good for us. You don't show up trying to get a split, but after the way the first game went, you'll be thrilled with it." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
Ramirez, who finished a triple shy of the cycle in the victory, led the charge in the nine-run fifth with a two-run homer and an RBI double. Erik Gonzalez contributed a three-run double in the outburst, which also featured an RBI double from Lindor, a bases-loaded walk for Bradley Zimmer and a sacrifice fly via Michael Brantley.according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
In the fourth inning of Game 1 and fifth frame of Game 2 combined, Cleveland's lineup sent 25 batters to the plate. They went a combined 14-for-19 in the batter's box with two home runs, four doubles, five walks, one stolen base and a sac fly. In those two innings combined, 11 players scored at least one run and 11 had one or more hits. Seven notched at least one RBI. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
"It gets a lot of confidence for everyone -- our hitters -- and we need it," said Lindor, who had two homers in the first game. "Game 1, we tried to come back and we couldn't. They played better than us in the last couple innings. The second game, we went out there early and we put a bunch of runs early on the board, and it was just a matter of maintaining." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
"It gets a lot of confidence for everyone -- our hitters -- and we need it," said Lindor, who had two homers in the first game. "Game 1, we tried to come back and we couldn't. They played better than us in the last couple innings. The second game, we went out there early and we put a bunch of runs early on the board, and it was just a matter of maintaining." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
PLUTKO PICKS UP FIRST MLB WIN
Plutko was promoted from Triple-A Columbus prior to Thursday's game and took the mound with a host of family and friends in the Progressive Field stands. Early in his outing, Francona approached him in the dugout with some instructions. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
"I said, 'You're on a pitch count. It's 225,'" Francona joked. "And he laughed. I think he actually handled himself really well." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
Plutko gave Cleveland precisely what it needed. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
n the opening loss on Thursday, Carlos Carrasco labored in his start and then the bullpen allowed seven runs in its 5 2/3 innings. Complicating matters for the Tribe was the fact that reliever Nick Goody injured his elbow in the middle of his outing in Game 1. The Indians desperately needed length out of Plutko and he delivered."according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
"I was just trying to go out and do my job," Plutko said. "That's to get outs and execute pitches and that was the extent of it. Especially the way they came out and swung the bats in the first game, I wanted nothing more than to just get quick outs and hopefully pitch deep into the game." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
After 7 1/3 innings, in which Plutko allowed three solo home runs, struck out six and walked none, the right-hander walked off to a standing ovation. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
"Boy, did he save our [rear]," Francona said. "Man, he commanded his fastball, both sides of the plate. He spun a little breaking ball off that and a changeup. He pitched. I mean he really pitched and that was really fun to watch. On a night where you're looking for some things to pick you up a little bit, boy, that's as big as there was." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Go, Go, Gonzo: Gonzalez made the Indians' Opening Day roster partially due to the fact that utility man Gio Urshela began the year on the disabled list with a right hamstring injury. Urshela's Minor League rehab phase ended on Wednesday, meaning Cleveland needs to make a decision on his status. Both Gonzalez and Urshela are out of Minor League options, so it's possible Cleveland will lose one of the players to waivers. Playing for his job, Gonzalez has gone 7-for-12 at the plate with four extra-base hits in the past two days (three games) and helped ignite the nine-run inning with his three-run double on Thursday night. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
"He had a heck of a day, my goodness," Francona said. "It's amazing what a little bit of confidence will do too. But, he hit the balls that maybe we haven't seen him hit off a righty and he really picked us up too.""according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
SOUND SMART
The win for the Indians marked the 1,500th victory of Francona's managerial career, ranking him 24th all-time in Major League history. Francona is one of four active managers with at least 1,500 wins, along with the Giants' Bruce Bochy (1,869), the Angels' Mike Scioscia (1,588) and the Orioles' Buck Showalter (1,512). Francona ranks seventh all-time among Indians managers with 471 wins. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-9-run-frame-backs-adam-plutkos-debut/c-275149586
First pitch is set for 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2018-05