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Yankees Game 132: Cessa rebounds, bullpen dominant in extra inning victory

New York Yankees 5 – Kansas City Royals 4 (13 innings)

After an unexpected victory, the Yankees looked to leave KC on a high note.

Luis Cessa was tasked with tonight’s start but had a rough start out of the gate. With one on and two outs, Kendrys Morales took Cessa deep to center field for a two-run home run. In the second inning, Paulo Orlando reached base as Headley could not come up with the ground ball and was charged with an error. Alcides Escobar made the Yankees pay for the error with a double that scored Orlando, putting the Royals ahead by three. The struggles of Cessa extended to the third inning when Eric Hosmer took him deep to lead off the inning.

Through the first five innings, former Yankee Ian Kennedy held the Yankees to just three hits. In the fifth inning, the Yankees managed to get two on but could not bring them around to score. In the sixth inning, Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a single. He advanced to second on a walk of Gary Sanchez and moved to third on the fly out by Mark Teixeira. With runners on the corners, Didi Gregorius came through with a sacrifice fly that got the Yankees on the board. Starlin Castro put the big number on the scoreboard when he hit a two-run home run to left center, bringing the Yankees within one.

After three rough innings to start, Luis Cessa settled down. After the third inning, Cessa allowed a single to Salvador Perez but finished strong. In six innings, Luis Cessa allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts.

In the seventh inning, the Yankees tied the game against Kennedy and reliever Scott Alexander when Jacoby Ellsbury hit a sacrifice fly to score Aaron Hicks. Keeping the game tied, Chasen Shreve provided two scoreless innings of relief, including a great pickoff of the speedy Raul Mondesi, to continue his success in the series. Tommy Layne and Adam Warren combined for a scoreless ninth inning that extended the game into extra innings.

Blake Parker pitched two scoreless innings of relief, including working out of the 11th inning, with two in scoring position thanks to a line out to Starlin Castro.

In the 12th inning, the Yankees went to bat against Chris Young and Chase Headley started with a single. He stole second but Aaron Judge struck out looking for the first out. Brett Gardner hit a single to right but Gardner also advanced to second after the wild throw home by Orlando. After an intentional walk of Jacoby Ellsbury, Gary Sanchez lined out for the second out and Mark Teixeira grounded into a force out to end the inning despite the ideal start.

In the 13th inning, Didi Gregorius led off with a single and Starlin Castro kept the ball fair down the left field line for a double. Lefty Matt Strahm gave up the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to left field by Brian McCann.

Dellin Betances came on for the bottom of the 13th inning. Betances led off with a walk of Chelsor Cuthbert but made a nifty play in defense. On a ground ball up the middle by Eric Hosmer, Betances fielded the ball between his legs but made a high throw to Didi Gregorius. The Yankees shortstop recovered with power as he threw to first to complete the double play. A fly out to right field ended the game and secured the Yankees’ extra innings win.

Six Yankees relievers combined for seven no-hit innings with four strikeouts.

 

Win – Ben Heller (1-0)

Loss – Chris Young (3-9)

Save – Dellin Betances (7)

Notables

Yankees

*Starlin Castro – 3 for 6, R, 2B, Two-run home run (19) in the 6th, 2 RBI (64)

*Jacoby Ellsbury – 1 for 4, R, BB, RBI (46)

Royals

*Kendrys Morales – 1 for 6, R, Two-run home run (22) in the 1st, 2 RBI (63)

*Eric Hosmer – 1 for 6, 2 R, Solo home run (19) in the 3rd, RBI (80)

 

Current Yankees Record: 69-63