Source: FanGraphs
I really regret staying up for that. I should have known better. These games against the Angels in Anaheim never ever ever go well. The Yankees dropped the series opener to the Halos by the score of 4-1 because their key relievers had their first total meltdown in a few weeks. I’m not kidding when I say total meltdown either. These West Coast games end crazy late, so let’s recap with bullet points:
- Five Straight Walks: I don’t think I can ever remember seeing a team walk five straight batters, including three with the bases loaded. Then again, I didn’t think the 2014 Yankees could sink to a new low, but here we are. An obviously not sharp Shawn Kelley walked the bases loaded in the eighth (one intentional walk) before he, Matt Thornton, and Preston Claiborne each issued a walk to force in a run. It was awful. The Angels batted around without getting a hit. Think about that. The relievers were due for a clunker, but my goodness. Give up a grand slam. I wouldn’t mind that nearly as much.
- Unexpectedly Excellent: One run in 5.1 innings doesn’t do David Phelps justice. He was screwed over by his defense and it could have easily been six shutout innings against the best offense in baseball (by wRC+). Phelps allowed two singles, one bad defense aided triple, and one walk before hitting his pitch limit (82). Fifteen of his 16 outs were recorded on the infield. He was very, very good. Just what the Yankees needed to see from him.
- Blown Chance: After looking lifeless at the plate for more than two weeks, Derek Jeter went 2-for-4 with a single and a double, both well hit. Jacoby Ellsbury moved the Cap’n over to third with a ground out following the seventh inning double and the vintage 2009 version of Mark Teixeira drove him in with a single. Tex has been awesome. Of course, Jeter banged into an inning ending double play in the eighth, the team’s best chance to take the lead. They had the bases loaded with no outs and failed to score. Par for the course.
- Leftovers: Joe Girardi and Kelley were both ejected by home plate ump Laz Diaz for arguing balls and strikes. Girardi was livid, he really got his money’s worth … Phelps hit a runner at first with a pickoff throw three times, including Mike Trout twice. I think that was his passive aggressive way of getting back at them for reaching base … the Yankees had six hits, though only Jeter had more than one.
MLB.com has the box score and video highlights, FanGraphs some other stats, and ESPN the updated standings. These same two teams will play the second game of the series on Tuesday night, when Hiroki Kuroda gets the ball against C.J. Wilson.
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