Gio Urshela Has Big Day On The Diamond, Rougned Odor Gets His First Hit As A Member Of New York As They Top Tampa Bay, Salvage A Game Out Of The Series

On Friday April 9, 2021 New York lost to Tampa Bay by a score of 10-5!

Where?

St. Petersburg Florida!

Why?

Corey Kluber surrendered five runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks. Kluber faced some hard luck in the second, seeing three consecutive batters reach safely on balls with expected batting averages below .200, per Statcast. Two of those came around to score.

Kluber gave way to reliever Nick Nelson, who entered a bases-loaded situation with a 4-3 lead, and on his second offering, allowed a two-run double to left. New York never recovered from there.

This marked the first time in 2021 that the Yankees’ pitching staff didn’t do enough to keep the team in the game. Entering Friday, the Yanks had the best ERA in the Majors (1.74), the best bullpen ERA in the AL (1.00), and they had allowed three earned runs or fewer in their first six games for the third time since earned runs became a statistic in 1913.

Then,

On Saturday New York lost yet again to Tampa Bay!

This time with Domingo German on the mound where he gave up two home runs yet again in a 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay This time, to Randy Arozarena and Austin Meadows while he only lasted four innings .

Tampa Bay collected four runs and eight hits off Germán, who tossed 79 pitches.

Yesterday though New York didn’t lose to Tampa Bay.

Instead, they were on the other end of the spectrum and were able to salvage a game out of the series.

Why?

Because Gio Urshela who plays third base for Aaron Boone had a big day on the diamond!

How big?

Gio Urshela homered as part of a four-hit, three-RBI performance while Rougned Odor who was making his New York Debut contributed the go ahead single.

When?

In the top of the tenth inning to help New York top Tampa Bay by a score of 8-4!

New York is now going to open a three game series with Toronto!

Where?

Dunedin Florida!

When?

Tonight where a right handed pitcher and a left handed pitcher are going to be opposing each other on the mound!

Gerrit Cole is going to be starting for New York!

He comes into the opening game of the three game series with a record 1-0 with an earn run average of 1.46.

Cole's 21 strikeouts are tied with Al Downing (1964) for the most by any Yankee through his first two starts of a season. Cole is 3-0 with a 2.97 ERA in five starts vs. Toronto, including an Opening Day no-decision.

Robbie Ray who unlike Gerrit Cole is a left handed pitcher who comes into the game with a record of 0-0.Ray posted great results in four Spring Training starts (2-0, 1.98 ERA, 18 strikeouts), but he landed on the IL after falling down stairs and bruising his left elbow. He missed two turns in the rotation, but now he's ready to go.

“according to Baseball Probable Pitchers | MLB.com

First pitch is set for 7:07pm from TD Ballpark!

The game is going to be televised on SNET, SNET-1 and Yes!