Source: FanGraphs
We are now two days shy of a full calendar month since the last time the Yankees won back-to-back games. They followed Friday’s walk-off win with a clunker on Saturday, getting blown out 9-3 by the Tigers. It looked like a big league team against a Triple-A team. The Yankees were completely outclassed on the mound, in the batter’s box, and in the field defensively. Let’s recap:
- Hughesless: For the third straight start and ninth time this year, Phil Hughes failed to complete five innings of work. No other pitcher in baseball has failed to complete five innings more than seven times, mostly because those pitchers eventually got pulled from the rotation. Hughes will get the ball again in five days because the Yankees are stubborn and also because they don’t have an alternative. Remember when they had pitching depth? Me neither. Anyway, Hughes allowed four runs (two solo homers) in 4.1 innings and has about nine more starts left in pinstripes. We should start a countdown in the sidebar.
- Token Runs: Lyle Overbay did the Yankees a solid and hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning to make it look like this game was actually competitive at some point. Aside from that, Anibal Sanchez held them to four hits and a walk in seven stress-free innings. Four of those five base-runners came in the fourth and fifth innings, otherwise the Yankees had four base-runners in the other seven innings combined. Four of the final 19 batters they sent to the plate reached base, with Overbay driving in the third run with two outs in the ninth.
- Leftovers: Preston Claiborne got hit around pretty hard in his inning of work (four runs), and he’s now allowed 34 base-runners in his last 19.2 innings after allowing 14 base-runners in his first 19.2 innings … the hits came from Brett Gardner, Ichiro Suzuki, Robinson Cano (all singles), Eduardo Nunez (double), and Overbay (single and homer) … Overbay and Curtis Granderson drew walks … Joba Chamberlain and Adam Warren combined to hold Detroit to one run in the final 3.2 innings … the bullpen is pretty taxed and it would make sense to call-up Dellin Betances for a fresh arm on Sunday. They could simply send either Warren or Claiborne down to Triple-A Scranton if they don’t want to admit defeat and cut Joba.
For the box score and video highlights, go to MLB.com. FanGraphs has some other stats and ESPN has the updated standings. The Yankees are still seven back of the second wildcard spot in the loss column. Andy Pettitte vs. Justin Verlander is your pitching matchup for Sunday’s rubber game. If you’re a masochist and want to attend, check out RAB Tickets.
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