July 25th Recap: Chapman Traded, Yanks Take Astros In Series Opener, 2-1

The 25th of July, 2016 will forever be remembered as an extremely busy day for the New York Yankees. The day began with the announcement of the inevitable but still blockbuster of a trade that saw the Yankees send fireballer closer-extraordinaire Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for four players. The centerpiece of the deal is 19-year-old shortstop Gleyber Torres, who, leaving from my hometown High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, was the Cubs number one overall prospect(41st overall in MLB, According to Baseball America). The other three players include former Yankee reliever Adam Warren and two Minor League outfielders. I knew the day was coming, but, it didn't make it sting any less to witness the greatest bullpen of all time dismantled. And yes, New York made out like bandits in the deal and could even possibly re-sign Chapman over the off-season, but, that sure was a fun 21 games stretch and I am going to miss it.

The memorable 25th continued as another rumored trade piece Michael Pineda toss seven phenomenal innings of one-run ball as he led the bombers to a game one when against the Houston Astro's in Minute Maid Park. It was far and away Pineda's best outing of the year, allowing just five hits, striking out eight while lowering his ERA to 5.00 in route to his fifth victory of the season. Taking the ball and the loss for Houston was 2015 Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, who also happened to be the guy who knocked the Yankees out of the playoffs a season ago. I have to imagine this one felt good for the boys in pinstripes.

Michael Pineda's first pitch of the ball game was promptly deposited into the right field seats off the bat of George Springer, giving the Astros a quick one run lead. But, that would be The first and last time that anyone in an Astros uniform touched home.

Chase Headley was the offensive hero of the day for New York, as the third baseman was involved in both of the Yankees runs in the ball game tonight. With two outs in the the top of fifth, Headley hit a soft single to center that scored Gregorius, who had doubled a batter earlier, tying the game at one. And then in the top of the eighth, Headley led off the frame with a single to right field and was chased home when the next batter Austin Romine smacked a double into centerfield, pushing New York ahead permanently, 2-1.

Now that Chapman is gone, No Runs DMC is no more.  And even though the back end of the bullpen needs a new nickname, the dynamic duo of Delin Betances and Andrew Miller, or as I like to call them "A-B-See You Later"(tweet me @@Benny Tomko to let me know what you think of the nickname), combined to allow just one hit while striking out for as they locked down the victory for Pineda and the Yankees in tonight's series opener.

Put on your seatbelts Yankees fans, I'm sure there's going to be in INSANE amount of trades come in the next six days.  But, as they say in the Big Apple, "the show must go on," and it will tomorrow night as the Yanks Play game number 100 tomorrow, game two of the Houston series, With first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET.