New York Yankees 9 — Los Angeles Angels 2
Early in tonight’s game, you would think the Yankees and the Angels switched uniforms.
After a full count walk by Jacoby Ellsbury, Derek Jeter hit a routine fly ball to right center field. Mike Trout and Collin Cowgill approached it from their respective positions, each calling it, only to collide and the ball would deflect away to put runners on the corners with no one out. Carlos Beltran would walk to load the bases.
The bases were loaded with no one out, where have we heard this before?
Except this time, the Yankees changed the script when Mark Teixeira hit a two-run double down the left field line to give the Yankees the early lead. Yangervis Solarte would hit a sacrifice fly to bring home the run. Brett Gardner would hit a single to the pitcher Hector Santiago who would create a scary scene when he threw it into the baseline causing Brett Gardner to clip Albert Pujols much like Brian Roberts was clipped by Bernie Williams years ago. Luckily, Pujols would not exit the game and the Yankees scored a run. Brian Roberts would carry over his hot bat from last night into today with a run-scoring single to put the Yankees ahead by five before they even took the field.
The Yankees made the most of an error, what team is that?
Vidal Nuno would have a quick first inning and the Yankees would have their last regular starter cross off a goose egg in the home run column.
The Captain, Derek Jeter, hit his first home run of his last season. Congratulations Jeets.
Nuno would have a shaky second inning. Howie Kendrick and C.J. Cron started it with a pair of singles. Erick Aybar would ground into a force out at second but the first run for the Angels scored. Nuno would give up one more single and walk one in a very long second inning but he minimized the damage.
In the fourth inning, the Yankees would hit a pair of singles around a double to load the bases. Carlos Beltran would ground into a force out and Mark Teixeira would hit into a double play. Bases loaded and no outs and not scoring a run sounds more familiar. After six runs in the first two innings, Vidal Nuno was in cruise control over the Angels bats. After the run allowed in the second inning, Nuno would retire 14 of the next 15 batters faced to end his night.
Vidal Nuno went a career-best 6.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out three and walking one. He generated numerous pop outs and weak shallow fly outs. Overall, a great outing.
The Yankees would tack on three more runs in the eighth inning, including another bases loaded hit for two of the three runs in a very solid win by the Yankees. The Yankees went a season-best 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Win – Vidal Nuno (1-0)
Loss – Hector Santiago (0-6)
Notables
Yankees
*Derek Jeter – 2 for 5, 2 R, Solo Home Run (1) in the 2nd, RBI (7)
*Mark Teixeira – 1 for 4, R, BB, 2B, 2 RBI (13)
Angels
*C.J. Cron – 3 for 4, 2 2B, RBI (3)
*Howie Kendrick – 1 for 4, R
Current Yankees Record: 18-15
