Detroit Tigers 1 — New York Yankees 2
Overcome the odds (and a high pitch count) to take the series opener.
Brandon McCarthy took the mound against 2013 Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer. McCarthy would strike out five in the first two innings but three Tigers reached base so after two innings, McCarthy had a pitch count of 50. That pitch count is not ideal for a long game on the mound.
On the other side of the game, Scherzer was also putting up zeroes in the first two innings but the third inning didn’t go so well.
Just before the game started, first baseman Mark Teixeira would be scratched from the lineup for dizziness and from feeling light-headed. Chase Headley would move from third base to first base, Martin Prado would move from right field to third base and Ichiro Suzuki took right field. Batting last in the edited order was Ichiro Suzuki. The replacement right fielder would proceed to hit a single to start the third inning. The lineup would turn over with Brett Gardner and Derek Jeter hitting a pair of singles to load the bases.
The first out of the third inning would not come easy. Mired in a cold streak, Jacoby Ellsbury was robbed of sure extra bases by a diving center fielder. In tonight’s game, a diving center fielder robbed him again. Center fielder Ezequiel Carrera would race back to deep center field and dived back to rob Ellsbury of possibly three runs. The Yankees would get their first run on the sacrifice fly. Brian McCann would come through with a two-out single to make it a two-run game.
After two innings, McCarthy was at 50 pitches but he bounced back. The Yankees starter would retire seven of the next eight until a high throw by Martin Prado pulled Chase Headley off the base for a throwing error on a ground ball by shortstop Eugenio Suarez. The Tigers’ shortstop would steal second but would exit the game on an injury that occurred. Ian Kinsler would hit a single that scored replacement Andrew Romine for an unearned run against McCarthy. Four of the next six would be retired by McCarthy until before leaving with two on and two out.
Brandon McCarthy allowed one unearned run in 5.2 innings of work while striking out eight and walking two. Of the 17 outs, McCarthy struck out eight and generated nine ground outs. Outfield, take a night off. He needed 116 pitches tonight.
Through the remaining 3.1 innings, the bullpen would allow one base runner. Matt Thornton finished off the sixth inning. Adam Warren allowed one base runner on a double but finished off the seventh inning with the one-run lead intact. Shawn Kelley would strike out one in a scoreless eighth inning and David Robertson would get the call in the ninth inning.
The Yankees closer would strikeout two in a perfect ninth inning and notched his 30th save of the season.
Win – Brandon McCarthy (7-10)
Loss – Max Scherzer (13-4)
Save – David Robertson (30)
Notables
Tigers
*Ian Kinsler – 1 for 4, RBI (59)
*Victor Martinez – 2 for 4, 2B
Yankees
*Jacoby Ellsbury – 2 for 3, 2B, RBI (50)
*Brian McCann – 1 for 4, RBI (47)
Current Yankees Record: 58-53
