Los Angeles Angels 2 — New York Yankees 3
In a low-scoring clash, a catcher struggling to catch would be the x-factor.
The Yankees sent Masahiro Tanaka to the mound in tonight’s rubber match with the visiting Los Angeles Angels. He would strikeout the side in the first but gave up a pair of singles. Unlike Tanaka’s usual starts, the control and command of his pitches was not on point. Over three innings, Tanaka walked three Angels and hit one too. Over his first four starts, Tanaka had only walked two.
Much like an ace can do, Masahiro Tanaka worked well with what he had. Over the first five innings, Tanaka struck out nine batters and allowed one run on a fielder’s choice in the fourth inning.
On the other side, Garrett Richards held the Yankees down with great stuff in a pitcher’s duel. Through the first four innings, Richards allowed one hit and walked one while striking out five. After receiving the lead in the fifth inning, Richards walked Teixeira and he was on third with one out after a double down the left field line by Brian Roberts. Ichiro Suzuki would ground out to bring in the tying run.
In the sixth inning, right after the Yankees tied the game, David Freese would hit a solo home run and reclaimed the lead for the Angels. After a strikeout in the seventh inning, Tanaka’s night was over. Over 6.1 innings, Masahiro Tanaka allowed two runs on five hits while walking four and striking out 11.
Garrett Richards looked to struggle in the seventh inning as pitches began elevating, including a leadoff home run to Mark Teixeira to tie the game. He would give up two deep fly balls that would be caught but overall, he did well. Over seven innings, Richards allowed two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out seven.
This came down to the bullpens.
For the Yankees, Adam Warren followed in Tanaka’s footsteps, giving up a single to Mike Trout but inducing a double play by Albert Pujols. In the eighth inning, Warren would strike out two in a perfect inning. The efforts would be rewarded.
For the Angels, Michael Kohn started the eighth inning with a walk. Jeter would strike out but Beltran would walk too. Next, the lefty Nick Maronde would come in and catcher Chris Iannetta would have an adventure behind the plate, allowing two passed balls, the second letting Jacoby Ellsbury to score. Maronde would hit McCann but Kevin Jepsen would bail out Maronde with a double play. So on two walks and two passed balls, the Yankees scored the go-ahead run without the benefit of a hit.
David Robertson would come on for the save and put the potential winning run at home plate in the shape of pinch-hitter Raul Ibanez. But the Yankees closer would shut the door with a check swing strikeout to take the series with the visiting Angels.
Win – Adam Warren (1-1)
Loss – Michael Kohn (1-1)
Save – David Robertson (4)
Notables
Angels
*David Freese – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (2) in the 5th, RBI (6)
*Erick Aybar – 1 for 4, R, 2B
Yankees
*Mark Teixeira = 1 for 2, 2 R, BB, Solo Home Run (2) in the 7th, RBI (5)
*Jacoby Ellsbury – R. Scored in the 7th on a passed ball
Current Yankees Record: 15-10
