Kansas City Royals – New York Yankees
The Yankees welcomed the World Series champion Kansas City Royals in a big way.
After a scoreless first inning by Ivan Nova, the Yankees retired the first two batters to come up against the tall Chris Young but Brian McCann did not want the inning to end scoreless. On a 1-1 pitch, the Yankees catcher took Young deep enough for a Yankee Stadium home run, putting the Yankees on the board.
With one out in the second inning, Alex Gordon denied Nova and the Yankees a shut down inning when he went deep to center field to tie the game at one. Nova gave up a pair of singles after but stranded them.
McCann led the home run charge with his first inning blast but Carlos Beltran shined with his.
Leading off the second inning, Carlos Beltran hit a solo home run to right field, putting the Yankees back ahead. Leading off the third inning, Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks went back-to-back with Aaron Hicks for a pair of solo home runs. Then, with two outs, Carlos Beltran went deep for a second time to put the Yankees ahead 5-1 on the power of three home runs.
Ivan Nova got through the third and fourth inning unscathed but ran into trouble in the fifth inning.
After an infield single that Nova could not get around, a one-out error also committed by Nova put runners on the corners. With a strikeout of Lorenzo Cain, Ivan Nova exited for the night. The return of Phil Coke began with a fly out to finish the inning and Nova’s line.
In 4 2/3 innings, Ivan Nova allowed one run on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts. While he is ineligible to get the win, Ivan Nova utilized 81 pitches in a great spot start as he stretches out to be a part of the rotation in CC Sabathia‘s absence.
Phil Coke and Kirby Yates combined for the sixth inning with Yates staying on for the seventh inning as well. The Yankees added a run when Aaron Hicks brought home Chase Headley with a sacrifice fly.
Chasen Shreve came on for the eighth inning and gave up a leadoff home run to Eric Hosmer but managed to keep the four-run lead with three more outs. Notably, in the bottom of the eighth inning, rookie Ben Gamel got his first career at-bat and made it count with a single to the left side of the infield. Welcome to The Show, kid.
After 30 scheduled games have passed, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman was reinstated tonight and made his Yankees debut in the ninth inning, non-save situation.
Clocking in at 100 MPH to start his appearance, Chapman touched 101 as he struck out Omar Infante and Chelsor Cuthbert swinging. Pinch-hitter Paulo Orlando got a hold of a slider and drilled it to center field for a double to keep the inning alive. Alcides Escobar brought home Orlando on a single but a ground out back to Chapman ended the inning and locked up tonight’s win.
Win – Kirby Yates (2-0)
Loss – Chris Young (1-5)
Notables
Royals
*Alex Gordon – 2 for 3, R, Solo home run (3) in the 2nd, RBI (7)
*Eric Hosmer – 1 for 3, R, Solo home run (6) in the 8th, RBI (16)
Yankees
*Carlos Beltran – 2 for 3, 2 R, Two solo home runs (6) in the 2nd & 3rd, 2 RBI (14)
*Aaron Hicks – 1 for 3, R, Solo home run (2) in the 3rd, 2 RBI (6)
Current Yankees Record: 12-18
