Los Angeles Angels 8 — New York Yankees 4
The Yankees were unable to complete the sweep due to a briefly former Yankee in today’s 8-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
Phil Hughes looked to salvage the last months of the season and continue the Yankees winning streak. The first inning didn’t fair so well when Josh Hamilton singled in the first run of the game. Hughes would have a bumpy road through his start but it wasn’t too bad. In the fourth inning, Erick Aybar led off the inning with a double. Aybar would advance on the next batter due to a cross-up between Hughes and Romine on a passed ball. Catcher Hank Conger productively hit a sacrifice fly to left field and the Yankees trailed by two.
For 10 games this season, Chris Nelson donned the Yankees jersey as one of many that manned third base. The former Yankees third baseman would go deep for his first home run of the season and the Yankees trailed by three now.
Phil Hughes would go six innings. He allowed three runs on six hits while walking one and striking out five. Not a bad start by any means.
The Yankees offense was able to get hits but the more important statistic, runs, would elude them.
In the second inning, the Yankees got two on with one out but Nunez and Overbay would fly out, ending the inning. Then, in the third inning, Brett Gardner would get a triple with one out. Alfonso Soriano would continue swinging a hot bat, getting his 14th RBI of the series, making it a 3-1 deficit. Robinson Cano hit a single to right field and Alex Rodriguez benefited from a lapse in defense that fell between three Angels for a single to load the bases. Vernon Wells would squander the opportunity by hitting into a double play.
Shawn Kelley had a good seventh inning but left the eighth inning after Mike Trout hit a double between Cano and Gardner in center field. Boone Logan would follow and got Josh Hamilton and Erick Aybar out. With two outs, the Yankees decided to not let Trumbo defeat them and put him on intentionally. The unintentional walk of catcher Hank Conger would prove to be very big.
On the second pitch of the at-bat, the former Yankee Chris Nelson would have himself a day to remember. Nelson hit a grand slam into left field, deflating the energetic crowd in the Bronx. Chris Nelson entered the game with zero home runs. Joba Chamberlain would come in and give up one run but the big blow already took place.
The Yankees offense were unable to put up more than one in the first eight innings but they showed some fire in the ninth. With one out, Brett Gardner walked. Alfonso Soriano hit a single to put runners on the corners. Robinson Cano would come through with a single to score one run. Alex Rodriguez would strike out against the third pitcher of the ninth inning for the second out. Vernon Wells would score two runs with a double to the right field gap and the Yankees were rallying. Curtis Granderson would follow with a walk but the rally would end with Eduardo Nunez. The Yankees shortstop would ground out to first and the Yankees were unable to complete the sweep.
Alfonso Soriano, Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano had good offensive games. Soriano got four hits, obviously not up to his four home run, 13 RBI output in his previous two games, but it’s still good. Robinson Cano had three hits and Curtis Granderson got one hit but he walked two times. Despite a loss, there are good things to pull out of this game to carry with them going to Boston for a big series.
Win – C.J. Wilson (13-6)
Loss – Phil Hughes (4-12)
Notables
Angels
*Chris Nelson – 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 HR (2; Solo & Grand Slam) in the 4th & 8th, 5 RBI (18)
*Josh Hamilton – 2 for 5, RBI (58)
Yankees
*Alfonso Soriano – 4 for 5, R, RBI (73)
*Robinson Cano – 3 for 5, R, 2B, RBI (75)
Current Yankees Record: 62-58
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