Houston Astros 5 — New York Yankees 2
With stronger arms resting, second level relievers put behind Pineda in loss.
Michael Pineda makes his return to Yankee Stadium, first start in the Bronx since April and he was as great as he was back then. Through the first three innings, Michael Pineda had not allowed a hit and was being efficient with his pitches. He would give up his first hit in the fourth inning, a single by Robbie Grossman. Two outs later, Dexter Fowler would come through with a double that plated the first run of the game.
The Yankees would respond in the bottom of the fourth inning.
After a single by Chase Headley, he would be caught stealing during the Stephen Drew at-bat. This would be costly as Stephen Drew hit a home run, his fourth of the season tied the game at one when it could have given the Yankees the lead. Earlier in the game, the Yankees would steal two bases off of Astros starting pitcher Scott Feldman and they would go back to that part of their strategy in the fifth inning. Ichiro Suzuki started with a single, his second hit of the game. After one out, Ichiro would steal second. He advanced on a ground out that put him on third with two outs. With two outs and the infield back, Jacoby Ellsbury would take the daring decision and dropped a bunt for a run-scoring single that put the Yankees ahead. Ellsbury would steal second base but he would be stranded.
A walk to start the seventh inning by Michael Pineda would cue the bullpen and his exit. The walked batter would come around to score during the inning off of a combination of David Huff and Esmil Rogers to finish his pitching line. In six plus innings, Michael Pineda allowed two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out three.
Following Pineda’s exit, David Huff would get one out before giving up a single. Esmil Rogers would inherit two runners and gave up a pair of singles that allowed the tying run to score. A third single would put the Astros ahead by two and a fourth single put the Astros ahead by three. The merry-go-round of Astros singles would be snapped with a pair of strikeouts but the damage was done.
With the likes of Kelley and Betances possibly unavailable, high leverage situations would be given to Huff and Rogers. The two relievers would give up three runs on five hits while walking one in two innings. The Yankees would threaten in the ninth inning with the potential tying run at home in the form of Jacoby Ellsbury but former Yankee Jose Veras would get him to fly out to the warning track, ending the game.
The Yankees out-hit the Astros 10 to 9 but it’s about the R column, not the H column.
Win – Scott Feldman (7-9)
Loss – David Huff (3-1)
Save – Jose Veras (1)
Notables
Astros
*Robbie Grossman – 2 for 5, R, 2 RBI (30)
*Jake Marisnick – 2 for 4, R, RBI (6)
Yankees
*Stephen Drew – 1 for 3, R, BB, Solo Home Run (5) in the 4th, RBI (19)
*Jacoby Ellsbury – 2 for 5, RBI (54)
Current Yankees Record: 63-61
