American League Wild Card Strength of Schedules

The American League Wild Card chase may go down as one of the most entertaining, the most confusing and one of the best playoff hunts in the history of North American sports. There are eight-or-nine teams depending on who you ask vying for just two spots in the American League and this one looks like it will go down to the absolute wire and the last weekend of the season. I wonder if Major League Baseball is prepared for tie breaker after tie breaker and possible outcome after possible outcome. I guess there’s only one way to find out, watch until the very last pitch is thrown during the 2017 regular season. Until then all we can do is look at the strength of schedules, for what they are worth anyway since any team can beat any team on any given night in MLB, and analyze which teams have the best shot on paper of reaching the 2017 postseason.

I have included home games, away games and number of days off left for each time and I have also bolded the series that I believe this team could win. Could win, not will win. You can’t predict baseball.

New York Yankees

4 games vs. Boston Red Sox

3 games @ Baltimore Orioles

3 games @ Texas Rangers

3 games @ Tampa Bay Rays

4 games vs. Baltimore Orioles

3 games vs. Minnesota Twins

3 games @ Toronto Blue Jays

1 game vs. Kansas City Royals

3 games vs. Tampa Bay Rays

3 games vs. Toronto Blue Jays

2 days off

18 home games

12 away games

Minnesota Twins

1 game vs. Chicago White Sox

3 games vs. Kansas City Royals

3 games @ Tampa Bay Rays

4 games @ Kansas City Royals

2 games vs. San Diego Padres

4 games vs. Toronto Blue Jays

3 games @ New York Yankees

4 games @ Detroit Tigers

3 games @ Cleveland Indians

3 games @ Detroit Tigers

2 days off

10 home games

20 away games

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

3 games @ Texas Rangers

3 games @ Oakland Athletics

3 games @ Seattle Mariners

3 games vs. Houston Astros

3 games vs. Texas Rangers

3 games vs. Cleveland Indians

3 games @ Houston Astros

4 games @ Chicago White Sox

3 games vs. Seattle Mariners

4 days off

12 home games

16 away games

Baltimore Orioles

4 games vs. Toronto Blue Jays

3 games vs. New York Yankees

3 games @ Cleveland Indians

3 games @ Toronto Blue Jays

4 games @ New York Yankees

3 games vs. Boston Red Sox

4 games vs. Tampa Bay Rays

2 games @ Pittsburgh Pirates

3 games @ Tampa Bay Rays

3 days off

14 home games

15 away games

Seattle Mariners

3 games vs. Oakland Athletics

3 games vs. Houston Astros

3 games vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

4 games @ Texas Rangers

3 games @ Houston Astros

3 games vs. Texas Rangers

3 games vs. Cleveland Indians

3 games @ Oakland Athletics

3 games @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

4 days off

15 home games

13 away games

Tampa Bay Rays

3 games @ Chicago White Sox

3 games vs. Minnesota Twins

3 games @ Boston Red Sox

3 games vs. New York Yankees

3 games vs. Boston Red Sox

2 games vs. Chicago Cubs

4 games @ Baltimore Orioles

3 games @ New York Yankees

3 games vs. Baltimore Orioles

5 days off

14 home games

13 away games

Kansas City Royals

3 games @ Minnesota Twins

3 games @ Detroit Tigers

4 games vs. Minnesota Twins

3 games vs. Chicago White Sox

4 games @ Cleveland Indians

3 games @ Toronto Blue Jays

3 games @ Chicago White Sox

1 game @ New York Yankees

3 games vs. Detroit Tigers

3 games vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

2 days off

13 home games

17 away games

Texas Rangers

1 game @ Houston Astros

3 games vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

3 games @ Atlanta Braves

3 games vs. New York Yankees

4 games vs. Seattle Mariners

3 games @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

3 games @ Seattle Mariners

3 games @ Oakland Athletics

3 games vs. Houston Astros

4 games vs. Oakland Athletics

2 days off

17 home games

13 away games

Toronto Blue Jays

4 games @ Baltimore Orioles

3 games @ Boston Red Sox

3 games vs. Detroit Tigers

3 games vs. Baltimore Orioles

4 games @ Minnesota Twins

3 games vs. Kansas City Royals

3 games vs. New York Yankees

3 games @ Boston Red Sox

3 games @ New York Yankees

3 days off

12 home games

17 away games

Who do you have making the 2017 American League Card Playoffs? Personally, homer alert, I have the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels on Anaheim squaring off inside Yankee Stadium when all the dust has settled but who knows what will go down. The great thing about baseball is that you can’t predict baseball. Stay tuned and have a great rest of the evening. Also keep in mind that some games are still playing today or set to be played. I have not included those in this post and all schedules laid out in this post begin tomorrow, 8/31.

Fine I’ll Say It, Jaime Garcia Sucks

When the New York Yankees sent Zack Littell and Dietrich Enns to the Minnesota Twins for left-handed starting pitcher Jaime Garcia I have to admit that I was a bit underwhelmed. I have to admit that I understood the logic behind the deal, the Twins were paying Garcia’s entire salary basically while the Yankees cleared a bit of their 40 man roster and Rule 5 Draft logjam while acquiring a veteran starter with playoff and postseason experience. The deal allowed the Yankees to limit the innings on Jordan Montgomery, which I also get, and the team improved their bullpen on paper making Garcia’s starts on the mound presumably less important and shorter. The problem is, and no one else is saying it just yet, Jaime Garcia sucks. There, I said it.

The good news is, as I alluded to, that Garcia is not only a rental but a rental on another team’s dime. The even better news is that we are two days away from September call ups meaning that reinforcements could potentially be on the way for New York. Chance Adams may be added to the 40 man roster this September and if he is then he will all but be called up to the Major Leagues after the Triple-A season ends, congrats to the RailRiders by the way for winning their division and clinching a postseason spot for the third consecutive season. Adams was on the mound when the team clinched their division title as the righty pushed his career minor league record to 31-6 with a 2.23 ERA. Roster jam and all Adams has very little to nothing left to prove down in the minor leagues and the Yankees need to realize that.

Jordan Montgomery will also be back at the Major League level after rosters expand and after the RailRiders season ends just in case the Yankees need some innings, although I know the team wants to limit his innings as much as they can. If Adams doesn’t come up I could totally see Montgomery making some starts down the stretch including the series finale against Boston over this coming weekend instead of Garcia leaving Jaime as the long reliever in the bullpen. That’s what the Yankees should do anyway, whether they do it or not is anyone’s guess. I guess you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out. One thing is for certain though, Jaime Garcia sucks. 

So it Seems… We Took a Long Weekend

Good morning everyone. Call of the search parties, I’m here and I am alive. Work has been absolutely crazy lately as I work in the heating and air conditioning field. I barely had time to write anything for Friday and Saturday, very little for Sunday and Monday and nothing for yesterday. It’s been crazy and so have these games the Yankees have been playing. Taking two-of-three from Seattle was nice but that Friday night game was so winnable, it hurts. Sweeping would have been extremely helpful with Cleveland coming to town, that series ends this afternoon, and the Red Sox series for the weekend. Oh well, the playoffs are in sight and the August 31^st trade deadline is tomorrow!

I haven’t done this in what feels like forever. HEY YOU!! I LOVE YOU!!

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/30: A Rod Hits 40 Home Runs

The New York Yankees are also well known as the Bronx Bombers but in their long storied history they have only had two right handed batters that have ever hit 40 home runs in a single season, Joe DiMaggio and Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez joined DiMaggio, who hit 46 home runs in 1937, on this day in 2005.

Also on this day in 1961 a computer named Casey was used to predict the chances that Yankees outfielder Roger Maris would surpass Babe Ruth's single season home run record of 60 within 154 games. The IBM 1481 predicted that Maris had a 55% chance of hitting 61 home runs in 154 games to establish the new mark for home runs but ultimately Maris hit his 61st home run in the Yankees 161st game of the season.

Finally on this day in 1939 the Yankees Atley Donald throws a recorded 94.7 MPH pitch to establish a new record for the fastest fastball in Major League Baseball history. Donald would also win 12 straight games that year to set an AL record for most consecutive victories by a rookie starting pitcher.

Tonight's Game Has Been Postponed...

Yankees-Indians rained out...

Tonight's game versus the Cleveland Indians, postponed due to rain, has been re-scheduled as a single admission double-header for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30th, beginning at 1:00 pm ET.

Jaime Garcia will be the Game 1 starter and Jordan Montgomery, scratched from tonight's RailRiders game, will start Game 2.  They'll oppose Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin.  Monty's appearance allows CC Sabathia to start the first game of the upcoming four games series with the Boston Red Sox.  The move pits Luis Severino against Chris Sale on Sunday night.  Sonny Gray and Masahiro Tanaka will pitch on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

No word yet regarding a roster move for Montgomery but I have to believe that LHP Caleb Smith will be the odd man out and Scranton-bound.  Or they make no move if Montgomery serves as the 26th man for the double-header.

Manager Joe Girardi has said that Aaron Judge will start at least one of the games tomorrow.  He had not been scheduled to start today's game.  

Update:  The Cleveland Indians have opted to keep Josh Tomlin on the DL for one more day so Ryan Merritt (1-0, 3.76 ERA in 4 games and 3 starts) will face Jordan Montgomery in the second game of the double-header.

IL North Division Champs...

Congratulations to the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders for winning the 2017 International League North Division!  

Credit:  Fred Adams-for Times Leader

The RailRiders beat the second place Rochester Red Wings (Twins) on Monday night to clinch the division.  Bryan Mitchell was the winning pitcher.  Jake Cave, Mason Williams and Cito Culver all homered to back Mitchell and two relievers enroute to the 5-3 victory.  The Yankees will have to get creative with the 40-man roster in September but I am hopeful that we'll see Mr Cave bring his show to the Bronx.

Credit:  Fred Adams-for Times Leader

The division crown is the third consecutive for the RailRiders and the ninth in twelve years.  The Governor's Cup play-offs begin September 6th.

We'll try this again tomorrow.  Enjoy your evening!

Yanks Get Klubered by the Indians...

Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Indians 6, Yankees 2...

In a potential play-off barometer, the Yankees showed they are not quite ready to compete with the big boys.  The Tribe used four home runs to turn back the Yankees on Monday night.

This was destined to be a low scoring game for the Yankees with AL Cy Young contender Corey Kluber on the mound.  The hope was that Luis Severino would be able to make him pitch-for-pitch.  Unfortunately, it didn't happen.  The top six hitters in the Yankees lineup went combined 0-for-22 with seven strikeouts and Aaron Judge wasn't even in the lineup.  

After Luis Severino cruised through the game's first two hitters, Jose Ramirez took him deep to right center for a quick 1-0 lead. Sevy had tried to challenge Ramirez on a full count and lost.  

Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd when Chase Headley led off with a homer to right. "There it goes...see ya!" (courtesy of Michael Kay).

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

Gary Sanchez showed off his powerful arm in the top of the 4th.  After Jose Ramirez walked and stole second.  A subsequent Sevy pitch got away from Sanchez.  Ramirez broke for third.  Sanchez grabbed the ball and fired it to third.  Todd Frazier cleanly applied the tag as the runner was sliding into the base for the out.  Sevy walked the next two batters before striking out Carlos Santana to end in the inning, but if Sanchez hadn't made that play on Ramirez, it could have been much worse.

Todd Frazier put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the 5th.  Jacoby Ellsbury doubled to left with two outs, a high fly which bounced on the warning track to the wall.  Frazier's single past diving shortstop Francisco Lindor into  left field scored Ellsbury.  Frazier took second on the throw but he was left stranded when Brett Gardner struck out.

In the top of the 6th, Jose Ramirez clubbed his second home run of the night off Severino, a solo shot deep into the second deck in right field.  The game was tied again.

The Indians got the separation they needed in the 7th inning.  With one out, Carlos Santana took Sevy deep to the second deck in right to give the Indians a 3-2 lead.  

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

The next batter, Bradley Zimmer, singled to center.  Sevy struck out Yan Gomes for the second out, but that would be all for the Yankees' ace.  Joe Girardi made the call to the bullpen and brought in Adam Warren.  With Giovanny Urshela at the plate, Zimmer stole second and got up and raced to third when Starlin Castro failed to catch the throw from Gary Sanchez for an error.  A wild pitch by Warren got past Sanchez and allowed Zimmer to run home for the Tribe's fourth run.  Urshela ended up grounding out after watching The Zimmer Show on the bases. 

Meanwhile, the Yankees couldn't muster anything against the dominant Corey Kluber.  

Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

In the top of the 8th, the Indians added to their lead when Austin Jackson belted a solo homer to left.  The Yankees challenged the call when replay showed the ball hit the hands of a fan in the first row and bounced back onto the field but the HR decision was upheld.  5-2, Indians.

Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Chasen Shreve replaced Warren in the top of the 9th.  Like Warren, Shreve has looked very hittable in his last few outings and the trend continued.  After striking out Jay Bruce, Shreve walked Carlos Santana.  Big mistake.  Bradley Zimmer hit a liner to the center field wall for a double to score Santana.  Zimmer later reached third on a wild pitch but he was unable to score this time.  The Indians didn't need the run with the four-run lead heading into the bottom of the 9th.

Indians closer Cody Allen came on in relief of Corey Kluber and set the Yankees down in order, striking out Starlin Castro to end the game.

The Yankees (70-60) lost ground in the AL East with the loss.  The Boston Red Sox held off the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-5, so the Yankees are now 3 1/2 games out of first.  The Baltimore Orioles won their fifth consecutive game, 7-6 over the Seattle Mariners, to move within 4 1/2 games of the Yankees.  The Tampa Bay Rays, 12-0 victors over the Kansas City Royals, are 5 1/2 games behind New York.  The Minnesota Twins had the night off so they were able to shave a half-game off the Wild Card Standings and trail the Yankees by 3 games.

I can't say that I am very excited about the prospect of pitching Jaime Garcia tonight against Cleveland in a must-win situation.  No, it's not the end of the world if the Yankees lose but I'd feel so much better about the team's chances if Jordan Montgomery was the starter (despite the innings cap).  I hope I'm wrong and that Garcia delivers his best performance in Pinstripes. 

Severino (11-6) looked very strong early, but the three home runs were too much for him.  He finished with 6 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and four runs (three earned) with 108 pitches thrown.  He walked three and struck out nine.  With Corey Kluber holding the Yankees to three hits and two runs over eight innings, Sevy didn't have a chance.

Odds & Ends...

Manager Joe Girardi has announced that right fielder Aaron Judge will take a seat for several games in an attempt to help the young slugger break out of his slump.  It always makes me think of Mark Grace's infamous slumpbuster quote about finding the most hideous looking member of the opposite sex and taking one for the team.  Hopefully Judge doesn't have to go to those extremes to find his first half swing.

Credit:  Phil Long-Associated Press

Another candidate for the "have a seat" approach is Aroldis Chapman.  The Yankees need an effective Chapman in September.  If that means some time away from the team to clear his head, so be it.  I think Chapman's problems are more mental than physical.  He did have a MRI on Sunday but the results came back clear.  I want to see him reclaim his closer's job so whatever it takes to get him back to elite status.

Have a great Tuesday!  It's a wonderful day for a win!  Go Yankees!

Masa & The Game of Errors...

Credit:  Noah K Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees 10, Mariners 1…

Okay, the ugliness was isolated to the first inning, for the most part, but the Yankees came out on the right side and coasted to the easy victory over the Seattle Mariners.  I would love to have one of these kind of games against the Boston Red Sox but we’re never so lucky.

The top of the first inning didn’t start out very well as it took Masahiro Tanaka a few batters before he could find his groove.  After Jean Segura lined out directly to Aaron Judge in right to start the game, Yonder Alonso singled to left and advanced to second when left fielder Aaron Hicks was unable to field the ball cleanly.  Error on Hicks.  Robinson Cano, making his first start in the series after sitting out two games with hamstring tightness, singled to left in front of Aaron Hicks and Jacoby Ellsbury (“you get it”…“no, no, after you”).  Alonso moved to third.  Nelson Cruz was next and he smacked a double to the left field wall, scoring Alonso.  Cano advanced to third.  Fortunately, from there, Tanaka found his pitches.  He struck out Kyle Seager and then got out of the inning with only one run scored when Mitch Haniger flied out to right center.  It could have been much worse but Tanaka was able to  limit the damage.  

Credit:  Corey Sipkin-NY Post

In the bottom of the 1st, Tanaka was rewarded for his effort.  Aaron Hicks led off against Mariners starter Andrew Albers and popped out to short.  Starlin Castro followed with a double over the head of right fielder Mitch Haniger.  The Baseball Gods decided to smile upon the home team at this point.  Gary Sanchez singled to left and Ben Gamel ran up on the ball and missed it with his glove.  By the time center fielder Guillermo Heredia had retrieved the ball and threw it to the infield, Castro had scored and Sanchez was standing on second.  The game was tied.  After Aaron Judge walked, Didi Gregorius hit a fly to shallow left.  With the trio of Ben Gamel, Guillermo Heredia and Jean Segura converging, no one called for the ball and it fell in.  The error was charged to Segura and the bases were loaded.  For the Mariners, the nightmare continued.  Chase Headley hit a grounder to third that Kyle Seager bobbled and dropped.  Sanchez scored and Headley was safe at first.  The bases were still loaded.  Todd Frazier struck out for the second out.  It brought Jacoby Ellsbury to the plate.  Ells lined a double to left.  Ben Gamel retrieved the ball and threw it into Jean Segura at short who dropped the ball and momentarily lost sight of it.  Judge and Gregorius scored.  Headley, seeing the opportunity when Segura dropped the ball, broke for home.  Segura’s throw bounced past the catcher as Headley scored and Ellsbury took third.  Ronald Torreyes hit a grounder to third and then beat out the throw from Seager.  Ellsbury scored and it was 6-1 Yankees.  Aaron Hicks, who had started the inning with a pop out, flied out to center to end the inning.  Alas, all good things must end.  The Mariners were charged a total of five errors in the inning.

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

Manager Joe Girardi’s day was over before the Mariners starter was out of the game.  With one out and Jean Segura at first in the top of the 3rd, Robinson Cano hit a grounder to first baseman Chase Headley who threw to Didi Gregorius at second for the force out.  However, the Yankees were unable to turn the inning-ending double play when Segura ran out of the base path and obstructed the view of Gregorius to first which caused an errant throw.  Girardi came flying out, demanding an explanation and got tossed for his inquisitive approach.  He received a standing ovation as he walked off the field.  Fortunately, Tanaka struck out Nelson Cruz to avoid any damage, but Girardi got to watch the rest of the game on TV like the rest of us who weren’t fortunate enough to be at Yankee Stadium.

Credit:  Jim McIsaac-Getty Images

In the bottom of the 3rd, the Yankees added to their lead.  Ronald Torreyes, singled to center for his second hit of the game with two outs.  Aaron Hicks lined a single to right, moving Toe to second.  Starlin Castro singled with a blooper to center to score Toe and the Yankees were up 7-1.  

Credit:  Corey Sipkin-NY Post

Todd Frazier committed the game’s seventh error, and the second by the Yankees, to open the top of the 6th when he was unable to field a grounder hit by Nelson Cruz.  Tanaka struck out the next two batters and got Ben Gamel to ground out to first to leave Cruz stranded at first.  No harm, no foul.  

In the bottom of the 6th with Andrew Albers still pitching for the Mariners, Starlin Castro led off with a soft line drive to center.  After Gary Sanchez walked, the Mariners made a pitching change to bring in reliever Dan Altavilla.  A wild pitch allowed the runners to move to second and third.  Aaron Judge walked to load the bases.  After Didi Gregorius struck out, Chase Headley hit a sacrifice fly to center.  Castro scored but Gary Sanchez was caught between second and third on the throw back into the infield and the Mariners were able to complete the double play.  However, the run counted and it was 8-1 Yankees.

After Masahiro Tanaka cruised through the Mariners in a three-up, three-down top of the 7th, the Yankees made more noise in the bottom of the inning.  Todd Frazier led off with a walk and moved to second when Jacoby Ellsbury singled on a roller to right.  Ronald Torreyes, with his third hit of the game, lined a single to left and the bases were loaded.  After Aaron Hicks popped out (infield fly rule invoked), Greg Bird pinch-hit for Starlin Castro.  Bird singled to right between the two infield defenders, scoring both Frazier and Ellsbury.  The Yankees now led 10-1.  

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

Caleb Smith took over for Tanaka in the 8th and retired the six batters he faced over the final two innings.  Danny Valencia, the game’s final batter, took Smith deep with Aaron Judge’s back nearly to the wall, but the ball landed in Judge’s glove for the final out.  Game over.  The Yankees win!

The Yankees (70-59) were able to pick up another game on Boston as the Red Sox fell to the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1.  The Yankees now trail the Red Sox by only 2 1/2 games.  Oh, if only the Yankees could have scored more runs Friday night.  The O’s finally reached .500 with their sweep of the Red Sox and continue to trail the Yankees by 5 1/2 games.  The Tampa Bay Rays won in extra innings over the St Louis Cardinals, 3-2, so they remain 6 1/2 games back of the Yankees.  No change in the Wild Card Standings as the Minnesota Twins beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-2, behind three homers by Byron Buxton to remain 3 1/2 games behind New York.  

I was worried going into this game given Masahiro Tanaka’s weird split of pitching much better at night than during daytime games.  But after the bumpy start, he settled down and gave the Yankees an ace-like performance.  Tanaka (10-10) went seven strong innings, holding the Mariners to the one run on six hits.  He walked one batter but more importantly did not give up any homers.  He struck out ten.  Nice job by Caleb Smith in saving the bullpen for the Cleveland Indians.  

Starlin Castro was 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.  Ronald Torreyes was 3-for-4, with a single RBI and a run scored.  The Yankee offense finished with 15 hits but surprisingly no home runs.  No matter, it was a very solid win and good momentum for the week ahead.

Next Up:  Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY…

The Yankees begin a very difficult week that starts with the Indians and ends with the Boston Red Sox.  Every game is important at this stage of the season.  The Indians come into this series a little banged up.  They have a total of nine players on the DL, including LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Danny Salazar, OF Lonnie Chisenhall, OF Michael Brantley and 2B Jason Kipnis.  The Indians have a comfortable 6 1/2 game lead in the AL Central over the Minnesota Twins.  

Here are the scheduled pitching match-ups:

MONDAY 

Indians:  Corey Kluber (12-4, 2.65 ERA)

Yankees:  Luis Severino (11-5, 3.10 ERA)

TUESDAY

Indians:  Trevor Bauer (13-8, 4.59 ERA)

Yankees:  Jaime Garcia (1-1, 5.47 ERA)

WEDNESDAY

Indians:  Josh Tomlin (7-9, 5.38 ERA)

Yankees:  CC Sabathia (10-5, 3.82 ERA)

This will be a tough series.  Admittedly, I wish Jordan Montgomery was here with the big league club and pitching on Tuesday night. Jaime Garcia does not inspire much confidence and certainly not when he’s facing a very tough Trevor Bauer.  I hope Caleb Smith is prepared to pitch that day.  

Have a great Monday!  I know that Corey Kluber will be tough but let’s make it three-in-a-row!  Go Yankees!

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/28: Yankees & Red Sox Play Final Game In The Old Yankee Stadium

The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox have played many historic and meaningful games in the old Yankee Stadium but the two teams played their final game in the House that Ruth Built on this day in 2008. These two teams fought tooth and nail against each other in this stadium for 85 years and it was fitting how the final game ended. The Yankees were losing 2-0 and came from behind thanks to a Jason Giambi seventh inning pinch hit two run home run to tie. Giambi would come up in the ninth inning and would get a walk off single to beat Boston 3-2 to avoid a sweep and keeps their playoff hopes alive.

Also on this day in 2007 the fans at Yankee Stadium were all entertained by a squirrel who stayed on the right field foul pole to watch the Yankees beat the Red Sox 5-3. The squirrel was quickly called a good luck charm and a fan favorite while receiving standing ovations and cheers every time he was shown on the scoreboard screen.

The Cost of Fowler, Kaprielian & Mateo…

Credit:  Jim McIsaac-Getty Images

Yankees 6, Mariners 3…

On Saturday, the cost was WORTH IT as Sonny Gray turned in his best Yankees performance thus far.  His seven innings of three-hit ball helped the Yankees defeat the Seattle Mariners on a beautiful day in the Bronx.  Even though his victories in Pinstripes have been rare, he brings a confidence (for the fans) to the mound that is probably only matched by Luis Severino.  Gray hasn’t pitched badly in his other starts, he just doesn’t seem to get the necessary run support.  That wasn’t the case yesterday.

The game started like Friday’s defeat…the inability to score with a runner in scoring position.  Brett Gardner led off the bottom of the 1st inning with a single to center.  A wild pitch by Mariners starter Yovani Gallardo moved Gardy to second.  But there he would stay as the heart of the batting order (Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Didi Gregorius) couldn’t bring him home.

Fortunately, the Yankees took advantage of an opportunity in the 2nd.  Gallardo walked the first two batters (Starlin Castro and Greg Bird).  A sacrifice bunt by Chase Headley (laid it down perfectly toward third to ensure the only play was at first) moved the runners to second and third.  Jacoby Ellsbury, making a rare start, singled to left.  Castro scored, but Bird was thrown out at the plate.  I was surprised that third base coach Joe Espada gave Bird the green light but Bird would have been safe if he had kept his foot down sliding into home plate.  The Yankees led, 1-0.

Credit:  Adam Hunger-Associated Press

The Mariners got the run back in the top of the 3rd inning.  Backup catcher Carlos Ruiz, starting for regular catcher Mike Zunino the day after a night game, homered to left to tie the game. 

Credit:  Adam Hunger-Associated Press

The Yankees finally got something going in the bottom of the 4th with two outs.  Greg Bird singled to right and Chase Headley walked.  Jacoby Ellsbury, in a campaign for more playing time, drilled a fly ball to the right field porch to give the Yankees a 4-1 lead.

Credit:  Andy Martin-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, Sonny Gray was on cruise-control.  With a back-up catcher, who entered the game with a .202 batting average, seemingly having the only success against him, Gray kept the M’s at bay.  The Mariners had an opportunity in the top of the 6th when Gray hit two successive batters with pitches but Sonny worked his way out of the jam.  

When Ben Gamel look-alike Taylor Motter singled on a hard hit ball to third in the top of the 7th (great stop by Chase Headley to prevent a double), it was the first hit by a Mariner other than Carlos Ruiz.  Ruiz had a single in the 5th in addition to his home run for two of the three hits that Sonny Gray would allow. Ruiz followed Motter but this time Gray struck him out swinging.  Motter stole second on the strikeout but he was left stranded when Jean Segura flied out to end the inning.  That would be it for Gray.  106 pitches, the three hits, one run, two walks, and nine strikeouts.  It was a tremendous performance for Gray and showed that he will be a key factor down the stretch.

The Yankees would add much-needed insurance runs in the bottom of the 7th.  Facing Mariners reliever Casey Lawrence, Austin Romine reached first base on a popup that dropped when Jean Segura gave up on it due to the sun and left fielder Ben Gamel couldn’t get there to make the catch.  Brett Gardner followed with a single to center.  After outs by Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius drew a walk on four pitches to load the bases.  Starlin Castro lined a single to left to score Romine and Gardy.  There was no play at the plate this time as Gamel bobbled the ball after the stop. Greg Bird subsequently walked to reload the bases, but Chase Headley flied out to end the inning.  

Chasen Shreve was brought in to start the 8th inning in place of Sonny Gray, and the Mariner bats seemed to come alive.  Danny Valencia opened with a double to the left field wall.  Nelson Cruz followed with a grounder to third which should have been a routine play but Chase Headley’s throw sailed over Greg Bird’s head for an error.  The M’s had runners at the corners.  A single to right off the glove of Starlin Castro by Kyle Seager scored Valencia and ended Shreve’s latest outing.  Tommy Kahnle came in and struck out the first batter he faced (Mitch Haniger).  Ben Gamel grounded into a fielder’s choice that erased Seager at second, but the Mariners had runners at the corners again with two outs.  Guillermo Heredia lined a single to right to score Cruz.  The Mariners had reduced the Yankees’ lead to 6-3.  The next batter came to the plate in the form of Robinson Cano, who was pinch-hitting for Taylor Motter.  Fortunately, instead of a game-tying home run, Robby grounded out to second to end the threat.  Too close for comfort.

The Yanks had a chance to add a run in the bottom of the 8th when Brett Gardner singled and stole second with two outs.  But the same story that keeps repeating itself…an Aaron Judge strikeout…left Gardy stranded.

Credit:  Ray Stubblebine

Fortunately, the Yankees had Dellin Betances for the 9th inning.  He set the M’s down in order, two by strikeout, for his 10th save.  The Yankees win!

The Yankees (69-59) finally picked up a game on the Boston Red Sox.  The Sox, having all they can handle with Buck Showalter’s Orioles, fell to Baltimore, 7-0.  The Yanks now trail the Sox by 3 1/2 games.  The O’s are 5 1/2 games behind the Yankees.  The Tampa Bay Rays lost, 6-4 to the St Louis Cardinals, so they slipped back into fourth place in the AL East, 6 1/2 games behind the Pinstripers.  The Yankees picked up a game in the Wild Card Standings and lead the second place Minnesota Twins by 3 1/2 games. The Twins dropped a 10-9 slugfest to Josh Donaldson and the Toronto Blue Jays.  

Clearly, the stars of this game were Sonny Gray (8-8, 3.26 ERA) and Jacoby Ellsbury.  Ellsbury, batting eighth in the lineup, was 2-for-4 with the home run and 4 RBI’s.  It was good to see Greg Bird in the mix (he was 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored).  

Credit:  Associated Press

Of course, you can’t say enough good things about the job Dellin Betances did after the leaky performance of the bullpen in the 8th.  Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez were a combined 0-for-9 with four strikeouts and nine men left on base.  Ouch…

Odds & Ends…

Congratulations to the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders!  They clinched their third straight post-season appearance with a 7-1 win over the Syracuse Chiefs behind the arm of Chance Adams (11-4, 2.63 ERA).  The RailRiders’ magic number for winning the International League North Division is two.  

Credit:  Fred Adams-For Times Leader

Have a great Sunday!  The Yankees need a win today with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox looming on the immediate horizon.  Go Yankees!

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/27: The First No-No In Yankee Stadium History

The Yankees made a day of it on this day in 1938 with a pair of historic milestones that happened on this day. First the Yankees All Star outfielder Joe DiMaggio would hit three consecutive triples in the first game of a double header with the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees would win Game 1 by the score of 8-7 but it was the second game that truly made history.

Monte Pearson became the first pitcher to ever throw a no hitter inside the House that Ruth Built. Pearson faces the minimum 27 batters thanks to a pair of double plays. The Yankees would sweep the double header and win the game 13-0 over the Indians for the Yankees 10th consecutive victory.