Sonny Gray To Make Start As New York Takes On Minnesota

Sonny Gray who was demoted to the bullpen in early August will make a spot start on Tuesday in the second game of a three game series when New York takes on Minnesota.

New York who is a member of the American League East comes into the game with a record of 90-54 and is second in their division. Minnesota who is a member of the American League Central comes into the game with a record of 65-78 and is second in their division. “according to http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

The right -hander Sonny Gray comes into the game with a record of 10-8 with a 4.96 earn run average. “according to http://m.mlb.com/player/543243/sonny-gray Gray will step into the rotation for a spot start on Tuesday as the Yankees look to give extra rest to their other starters. In six games (one start) since being removed from the rotation, Gray is 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA (19 2/3 innings). “according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose Minnesota right -hander Tyler Duffey who comes into the game with a record of 1-2 with a 9.00 earn run average. “according to http://m.mlb.com/player/608648/tyler-duffey Duffey is expected to throw one or two innings before the bullpen takes over as Minnesota deploys the 'opener' strategy for a third time this season. Duffey, 27, is 1-2 with a 9.00 ERA in 14 appearances for the Twins this year. “according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

As for the opener between New York and Minnesota, New York beat Minnesota.

J.A. Happ landed in the Yankees' rotation intending to provide a stabilizing presence to a team in need, using his veteran expertise to shore up what had been perceived as their most glaring weakness. The left-hander has been all they could have hoped for. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

Happ spun six scoreless innings of six-hit ball in the Yankees' 7-2 victory over the Twins on Monday night at Target Field, leading New York to a series-opening victory after splitting the first two legs of their road trip. The prospect of returning to postseason games has provided a spark for Happ, who improved to 6-0 with a 2.70 ERA through eight starts with his new employer.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

It's been exciting since I got here, and it's obviously still that way," Happ said. "We're still trying to chase this thing down and we know that we've got to play good baseball to keep that spot. It's exciting. Every game means something and that little bit extra definitely helps." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

Gary Sanchez hit a 460-foot homer to the third deck in left field, and the Yankees sent 12 men to the plate in a six-run seventh inning as they continued to punish Minnesota. Including last year's American League Wild Card Game, the Yankees have won nine consecutive games against the Twins, dating to last September.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

The Yankees hold a three-game lead over the Athletics for the first AL Wild Card and trail the Red Sox by eight games in the AL East. Though manager Aaron Boone has not decided who would start in a potential Wild Card Game, Happ remains in the mix after a 91-pitch effort in which he walked none and struck out three. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

"He's a very good pitcher, an easy guy to catch," Sanchez said through an interpreter. "A guy that's aggressive, a guy that goes after strike one. He has a really good plan from the beginning, executes the plan. When you have a guy like that, it allows you to get on the same page with him and be able to work effectively." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

Sanchez's 16th homer of the campaign was the Yankees' third-longest of 2018 and came off Kyle Gibson, who worked 5 2/3 solid innings. Most of the Bombers' damage came against the bullpen, as eight consecutive Yankees reached base in the seventh inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

Miguel Andujar's two-run double opened the barrage, as the infielder joined Joe DiMaggio (1936) as the only Yankees rookies to tally 40 doubles and 20 homers. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

"The goal is never individual achievements," Andujar said through an interpreter. "From the beginning, it is to focus, play hard and try to win a championship. To have the opportunity to come up here and be able to win one in the first year, it would be great. From the beginning, it was always to work hard and try to win it all." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

Giancarlo Stanton and Didi Gregorius followed with run-scoring doubles. Gleyber Torres and Andrew McCutchen also drove in runs as Alan Busenitz, Andrew Vasquez and Matt Magill labored through the lengthy frame. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

"It was something I felt we needed," Boone said. "I'm glad a lot of guys had a hand in it." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

The Yankees own the Majors' best record when their starter tosses at least six innings (57-9, .864). They are 57-6 when they get a quality start; Happ has provided six quality starts and the Yanks have won them all. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

"It was another workmanlike performance," Boone said. "If he does get out of tilt or behind in the count, he'll make a pitch to get right back in. It was more of the same tonight." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

HE SAID IT
"It's definitely nice numbers to have. Whenever you put up numbers like that, you look up your stats and they're there, they show the work. The work I've been putting in, it's been a lot of work in the Minor Leagues and here as well. The goal is to continue doing that and finish strong." -- Andujar “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/ja-happ-gary-sanchez-hr-lead-yankees/c-294131852

First pitch is set for 8:10pm from Target Field. The game will be televised on Yes. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2018-09