If there's one thing we've learned about Hiroki Kuroda this season, it's that his record is meaningless.
In his last three starts, the veteran's had two that he should've won but didn't and one that he shouldn't have won but did, making his current 6-6 line confusing.
And no, that annoyance didn't end today, with Kuroda earning a no decision after surrendering no earned runs in 6 2/3 innings as the Yanks completed a sweep of the Reds 3-2.
Over this afternoon's first four frames, Kuroda and his counterpart Johnny Cueto (5 IP, 2 ER) didn't give up anything, but in the top of the fifth that all changed when Brian Roberts made an error.
That misplay, coming on a routine grounder off the bat of Zack Cozart, eventually led to an unearned run, giving Cincinnati what looked like a commanding 1-0 lead.
However, with one out in the following frame the Bombers rallied, putting two men on when Kelly Johnson and Brett Gardner walked to establish a legitamate threat.
Following those well-earned ways of getting on base, Derek Jeter and Jacoby Ellsbury quickly made it 2-1 with back-to-back singles, shocking Cueto and probably many Yankee fans.
Still, that advantage wouldn't last forever, with the usually-reliable Dellin Betances getting taken deep to left by Todd Frazier in the Reds' half of the eighth.
That homer, Frazier's 20th of the year, came on a 98 MPH fastball up and in, making the fact that it happened frustrating.
Be that as it may, it's not like it mattered that much in the long run, with the Ellsbury-led Pinstripes later winning in the bottom of the ninth.
Facing the tough Aroldis Chapman after a scoreless three out performance by David Robertson, Ellsbury collected his fourth hit to begin the frame, followed shortly by a steal of second, a wild pitch, and a strikeout of Mark Teixeira to bring up Brian McCann.
On the first pitch of the at-bat, McCann popped one into short right field, something that should've been an extremely routine out.
Instead though, it fell in between three Cincinnati defenders, allowing Ellsbury to score.
No, it wasn't the prettiest finish of all time, but yes, it was good enough to end the contest, as it completed a perfect weekend and improved the club's record to a solid 50-47.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)