Cleveland Indians 3 – New York Yankees 2
The Yankees started a series at home with the Cleveland Indians.
Ivan Nova pitched a scoreless inning that featured a nicely turned double play by Greg Bird but it became evident in the second inning that the Yankees righty was not as sharp as we would like. After a four-pitch walk of Carlos Santana, Lonnie Chisenhall hit a double to the right center gap, scoring Santana from first base. In the third inning, Jason Kipnis reached base for the second time on a single to center. Two outs later, Michael Brantley hit a single to left field and Kipnis beat the throw home to put the Indians ahead by one. The Indians rallied in the fourth inning. After two outs, Abraham Almonte walked and Giovanny Urshela hit a single to right field, putting runners on the corners. Jose Ramirez followed with a run-scoring single that put the Indians ahead by three.
Through the first two innings against Josh Tomlin, the Yankees were held hitless. Chase Headley hit a double for the first hit in the third inning and Stephen Drew walked but they could not come around to score. Alex Rodriguez took a bit out of the three-run deficit in the fourth inning when he hit his 26th home run of the season, a solo blast to deep left field.
Unfortunately for the Yankees, 12 of the next 13 Yankees at-bats against Tomlin produced no baserunners, with one Stephen Drew reaching base on a walk. Ivan Nova gutted out five innings.
In five innings, Ivan Nova allowed three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four. He could not get the fastball over so he relied on his breaking ball to get him through his start tonight.
In relief, Adam Warren pitched two scoreless innings with assistance by Brian McCann behind the plate. After Jason Kipnis got his third hit of the night, the Indians second baseman attempted to steal second but McCann threw the ball right where Didi Gregorius needed it to tag Kipnis passing by to end the seventh inning.
Other than Stephen Drew reaching base three times in three plate appearances tonight, the only other thing that could be more unpredictable is a scoreless appearance by Chris Capuano. Following two innings by Warren, Chris Capuano came in for relief and provided two scoreless innings to keep the game within one.
Against Indians closer Cody Allen in the ninth inning, Alex Rodriguez hit a single to center field as the outfield played back in a “no doubles” defense. During the McCann at-bat, A-Rod stole second base on a high pitch that appeared to be above the zone but it was called a strike. Brian McCann ended up striking out but Joe Girardi emerged from the dugout and got his money’s worth with his ejection, the third of the season.
Carlos Beltran made it a one-run game with a single through the shifted infield. Greg Bird worked the questionable strike zone and was walked to pass the baton to Chase Headley. The Yankees third baseman grounded out but advanced two into scoring position. It came down to Didi Gregorius but he flew out to left field to cut the rally short of a win.
The Yankees left six on base in tonight’s loss.
Win – Josh Tomlin (1-1)
Loss – Ivan Nova (5-5)
Save – Cody Allen (24)
Notables
Indians
*Lonnie Chisenhall – 1 for 3, 2B, RBI (28)
*Jose Ramirez – 1 for 3, RBI (16)
Yankees
*Alex Rodriguez – 2 for 4, 2 R, Solo home run (26) in the 4th, RBI (68)
*Chase Headley – 1 for 4, 2B
Current Yankees Record: 67-53
