Yankees Game 122: Cessa backed by offense in victory

Bats backed up the strong showing by Luis Cessa in tonight's New York Yankees win.

New York Yankees 5 – Los Angeles Angels 1

After taking the first game in dominant fashion, the Yankees looked to continue the series with another win in Anaheim.

With two outs in the first inning, Gary Sanchez made his impact on Angels starter Ricky Nolasco. The Yankees' rookie catcher took Nolasco deep for a solo home run to left, his sixth of the year.

Didi Gregorius and Starlin Castro followed up with first-pitch swinging as Didi reached on a single and Starlin Castro made it to second on a double. Brian McCann capped off the inning with a two-run single to right to put the Yankees ahead by three early.

Nolasco managed to settle down until the sixth inning when the offense came to life again. With two outs, Starlin Castro and Brian McCann went up the middle of the field with singles and Aaron Judge came through with a single the other way to right to bring home two and make it a five-run game.

With the start tonight, Luis Cessa pitched well. Cessa retired the first eight Angels he faced before Gregorio Petit and Kole Calhoun hit singles with two outs in the third inning but a ground out by Mike Trout prevented a rally from manifesting into runs. In the sixth inning, Cessa found himself in trouble when he issued a one-out walk to Calhoun but his catcher made a sharp play to cool the fires. On a wild pitch, Sanchez threw to first and picked off Calhoun to clear the bases for Trout, who Cessa hit with a pitch. It came to be no harm to the scoreboard though as Albert Pujols struck out swinging to end the inning and Cessa's night on the mound.

In six scoreless innings, Luis Cessa allowed three hits and one walk while striking out five.

In the seventh inning, C.J. Cron threatened the shutout with a fly ball to left that had the distance but Brett Gardner played robber when he made the leaping catch on the short wall in left, taking a sure home run away from Cron much to the delight of reliever Tyler Clippard.

Following the scoreless inning by Tyler Clippard, Tommy Layne added a scoreless inning to move the game along to the ninth inning. Since he has not worked lately, closer Dellin Betances came on for the ninth inning.

Albert Pujols prevented the shutout when he took Betances deep to lead off the ninth inning. Betances proceeded to retire the next three batters, ending the game and securing the win.

Win – Luis Cessa (3-0)

Loss – Ricky Nolasco (4-11)

Notables

Yankees

*Gary Sanchez – 1 for 4, R, Solo home run (6) in the 1st, RBI (12)

*Brian McCann – 2 for 4, R, 2 RBI (48)

Angels

*Albert Pujols – 1 for 4, R, Solo home run (23) in the 9th, RBI (96)

*Kole Calhoun – 1 for 2, 2 BB

Current Yankees Record: 63-59