Source: FanGraphs
I was unable to watch Wednesday night’s game and didn’t catch more than the first inning or two on the radio, but it sure looks like I picked a good game to skip. I hear there was some defensive funny business going on in that four-run seventh inning for the Tigers and I don’t quite understand why CC Sabathia would be lifted after just 94 pitches with a four-run lead, but hopefully he’s not hurt. There would have been hell to pay had they fully blown a seven-run lead, especially after the quick hook.
The new-look top of the lineup apparently worked wonders, as the top six hitters in the order went a combined 14-for-27 (.519) with a double, a homer, four walks, and two strikeouts. Curtis Granderson was a triple away from the cycle after slumping pretty hard these last three weeks or so. Oh, and there was some hit-batsmen nonsense early on — I heard that much on the radio — that resulted in a warning for both sides. Robinson Cano took a pitch to the backside and eventually came around to score, which is always the sweetest revenge.
I’m sure it was ugly, but the Yankees got the win on Wednesday and that’s all that matters. No one is looking for style points these days. MLB.com has the box score and video highlights, FanGraphs the nerd score, and ESPN the updated standings. Both the Orioles and Rays won as well, so they remain five and six games back in the loss column, respectively. The Yankees and Tigers will wrap up this four-game series on Thursday afternoon, when Hiroki Kuroda gives it a go against Doug Fister. Rumor has it that the weather may not cooperate.