New York Looks To Bounce Back As They Visit Minnesota

After losing the finale of their last series New York will look to bounce back in the opener of their three -game series when they visit Minnesota starting Monday.

New York who is a member of the American League East comes into the game with a record of 89-54  and is second in their division  while Minnesota who is a member of the American League Central comes into the game with a record of 65-77 and is also second in their division. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

J.A. Happ will start the  opener for New York. The left-hander comes into the game with a record of 15-6 with a 3.90 earn run average. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/457918/ja-happ Happ bounced back from a rough outing to fire six-plus innings of one-run, two-hit ball in a no-decision against the A's on Tuesday. He is 5-0 with a 3.10 ERA in seven starts since joining the Yankees. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose Minnesota right -hander Kyle Gibson who comes into the opener with a record of 7-12 with a 3.74 earn run average. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/502043/kyle-gibson Gibson was hurt by a pair of homers against the Astros, but he was otherwise solid, allowing two earned runs over seven innings. It was a nice bounce-back start after posting a 5.28 ERA in August. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

As for New York's previous game they lost the finale to Seattle. 

The Yankees missed their chances to cut down Mitch Haniger on the basepaths, and it cost them a crack at a season sweep of the Mariners. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

"We had a lot of opportunities. We had quite a few," said Brett Gardner, who was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the ninth inning. "It was a frustrating day overall for us." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

The loss was the Yankees' first in six contests against the Mariners this season. Combined with the Athletics' 7-3 victory over the Rangers, New York's lead for the first American League Wild Card spot was trimmed to 2 1/2 games. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

"We wanted to come in and win the series," said CC Sabathia, who took a no-decision with five-plus innings of two-run, seven-hit ball. "That's the goal every series throughout the year. Especially right now at the end of the year, we need to win series." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

Betances said poor mechanics led to the walk to Haniger, who also made a terrific diving catch in right field to rob Giancarlo Stanton of a hit for the game's final out. The Yankees brought the infield in when Haniger reached third base; Adeiny Hechavarria fielded Cano's grounder but threw wide of catcher Austin Romine. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

"I made pitches, but I think the leadoff walk hurt," Betances said. "I think first pitch I tried to go breaking ball, then I was a little out of whack to start. They played small ball, and it worked out." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

The Yanks' frustration boiled over in the ninth inning, as Gardner jawed with home-plate umpire Jeremie Rehak after striking out against Mariners closer Edwin Diaz, who polished off his 54th save as New York finished 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

Sabathia settled in after allowing first-inning RBI singles to Ryon Healy and Cameron Maybin, exiting to a warm ovation from the friendly road crowd of 34,917. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

"I thought he was really scuffling there the first couple of innings," manager Aaron Boone said of Sabathia. "I thought he made the adjustment. He started throwing his cutter, driving it inside, which had been a problem for him the last couple of starts." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

Reliever Chad Green fired two scoreless innings after the Yankees managed two runs against Erasmo Ramirez, who hurled five innings and scattered six hits. Stanton and Miguel Andujar gave New York a 1-0 lead in the first inning, knocking back-to-back one-out doubles. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

Three consecutive singles in the fourth yielded a run on an Andrew McCutchen walk, but Stanton followed with a groundout that left the bases loaded. Stanton finished the afternoon 1-for-5 and is in a 7-for-61 (.115) rut over his last 16 games. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

"I thought CC really did a good job there in the middle of the game, keeping us in it," Gardner said. "Myself and a couple of guys came up in big spots with some guys on base. We just couldn't seem to get the guys in." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

SOUND SMART
Sabathia is 14-6 with a 2.60 ERA in 29 career starts against the Mariners, his lowest ERA against any opponent. His 2.24 ERA at Safeco Field is the third-lowest ERA at the ballpark (min. 75 innings), behind Bartolo Colon (1.98) and Dan Haren (2.00). "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

HE SAID IT
"I guess that was the final straw. He was probably tired of hearing guys getting on him. That was a big pitch in my at-bat, going from being 3-0 to being 2-1 against a guy that throws 100 [mph]. It's frustrating. I let my emotions get the best of me. Obviously I said too much." -- Gardner, on his ejection "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-mariners-for-1st-time-in-2018/c-293968708

As for Minnesota's previous game, They edged Kansas City. 

With his unusually low walk and strikeout rates throughout his time in the Minors, Twins catcher and utilityman William Astudillo is one of the more interesting batters in the Majors. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

Astudillo, with his stocky 5-foot-9 frame, has quickly become a fan favorite and added to that with his first career walk-off homer on Sunday against the Royals. After Max Kepler  doubled with two outs, Astudillo came to the plate against reliever Jason Hammel and jumped on a 1-0 slider for a two-run shot to give the Twins a 3-1 win at Target Field. It was the sixth walk-off win for the Twins this year and their first since July 30. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

"The legend continues for Mr. Astudillo," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "He gets his first walk-off homer, and it was just a nice way to finish a good day all around." "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

Astudillo, who had 85 walks and 81 strikeouts in 2,461 career plate appearances in the Minors, has translated his success to the Majors so far, hitting .297/.316/.595 with three homers and seven RBIs in 14 games. He's yet to draw a walk because of his aggressiveness, but has also only struck out twice, and said it's all part of his hitting plan. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

"I just go out there with a plan to make good contact," Astudillo said through an interpreter. "I don't want to swing at bad pitches. I was looking for a specific pitch. The first one wasn't even close, so I waited for the second one. This is the big leagues. It's a walk-off and a win for the team. I'm very emotional. Very happy." "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

Right-hander Chase De Jong , acquired from the Mariners in the Zach Duke trade, was also solid in his debut, throwing four scoreless frames. He had some trouble with his control, walking four, but allowed just one hit and struck out five. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

He ran into a jam in the third, loading the bases with two outs, keyed by two walks and a throwing error by De Jong on a bunt from Adalberto Mondesi . But De Jong escaped trouble, getting Hunter Dozier to ground out to end the inning. He threw a 1-2-3 fourth with the help of a double play, but exited after throwing 73 pitches in his first Major League start since May 16, 2017. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

"The strikeouts were great, the walks were horrendous," De Jong said. "Very unusual for me. Let's chalk those up to maybe new team debut jitters. Astudillo did a tremendous job with the fingers back there. Think maybe I shook off once."

Zach Littel replaced him and also pitched well for 3 1/3 innings, but gave up a game-tying homer to Mondesi in the sixth. It was one of two hits allowed by Littell, who surrendered the homer on a 3-2 cutter. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

"I think we're seeing more of what we know about him in terms of swings and misses and aggressiveness," Molitor said of Littell. "He's throwing the ball a little bit harder than I expected coming up here later in the year. The cutter has been a really nice pitch. The last couple outings have been moving forward for him." "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

The offense, though, was held in check by veteran right-hander Ian Kennedy, who went six frames, allowing one run on four hits and three walks. The Twins scored their only run against him in the second, when Robbie Grossman doubled and scored on a single from Ehire Adrianza. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

"It was a battle," Molitor said. "The offense was having trouble finding ways to get much going. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

SOUND SMART
De Jong became the 53rd player used by the Twins this year, which is a franchise record, breaking the previous high of 52 players used last season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

HE SAID IT
"I think that's sometimes an overlooked aspect in today's game. A guy who can do his job back there and stay present in terms of different pitchers -- new plan, same hitters. It's just one of those things where you're constantly having to be thinking ahead. I think he did a really nice job. He was kicking himself for the homer; not that it was the wrong call, we just didn't execute the pitch. He's getting a chance to show us he can handle himself back there." -- Molitor, on Astudillo catching four pitchers "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/willians-astudillo-hits-walk-off-hr-in-win/c-293989676

First pitch is set for 8:10pm. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2018-09