New York Yankees 5 – Detroit Tigers 2
Defense backed up Nathan Eovaldi in the second game of the series in Detroit.
Like early in yesterday’s game, the Yankees got the early offense from Mark Teixeira. After a one-out walk of Brett Gardner by Kyle Lobstein, Teixeira would go the other way against the lefty with a double down the right field line. The ground ball down the right field line would allow Gardner to score from first base.
Nathan Eovaldi would make the one run stand for most of tonight’s game with the help of his “best friend.”
After an infield single by Anthony Gose, Ian Kinsler would hit a ground ball to shortstop Stephen Drew who would convert it into a double play to shorten the inning. In the second inning, J.D. Martinez would get on base with a one-out single but Yoenis Cespedes would hit a rocket back up the middle, where Eovaldi would catch it, turning a double play at first base with Martinez off base. In the fourth inning, Eovaldi would let the first two runners on but a strikeout followed by a double play erased the threat of scoring for the Tigers. Then, in the sixth inning, Nathan Eovaldi would generate one more double play from Ian Kinsler in a very impressive outing.
In seven innings, Nathan Eovaldi allowed one run on eight hits while walking one and striking out four. Four double plays were a huge factor in Eovaldi getting deep into tonight’s game.
Despite wildness by Lobstein, that included four walks in his six innings of work, the Yankees would not be able to score more than one run in tonight’s game until the bullpen took over.
With Lobstein out and lefty Ian Krol in, Chris Young would quickly make it a two-run ballgame with a solo home run to left field. His fourth home run of the season would not be the last home run of the inning. One out later, Stephen Drew would hit his fourth home run of the season, a solo home run to extend the lead to three. Two outs later, the second Tigers reliever of the inning, Tom Gorzelanny, would walk Jacoby Ellsbury. After a stolen base, Brett Gardner would hit a single to put runners on the corners. The third pitcher of the inning, Al Alburquerque, would let loose a wild pitch that scored the Yankees’ fourth run of the game. Two walks would load the bases and the fourth Tigers reliever, Blaine Hardy, would finally end the inning with a ground out but the Yankees generated some much needed insurance.
Brian McCann would hit a ground ball down the third base line that was ruled an error, allowed a run to score to extend the Yankees lead to four. With a four-run lead, the save situation was not in play, initially.
Chris Martin came in with the four-run lead and got the first two outs on impressive strikeouts. J.D. Martinez would hit a single and Yoenis Cespedes hit a rocket to left field that put runners on second and third. The “closer” Andrew Miller would come in with two on and two out. Miller would walk a pair of batters, allowing a run to score but Miller would bounce back and strike out Jose Iglesias to end the game and get the Yankees the win.
Win – Nathan Eovaldi (1-0)
Loss – Kyle Lobstein (1-1)
Save – Andrew Miller (5)
Notables
Yankees
*Chris Young – 3 for 3, 2 BB, R, 2B, Solo Home Run (4) in the 7th, RBI (9)
*Stephen Drew – 2 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (4) in the 7th, RBI (8)
Tigers
*J.D. Martinez – 3 for 4, 2 R, 2B
*Yoenis Cespedes – 1 for 3, RBI (12)
Current Yankees Record: 7-7