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DETROIT, MI - JUNE 2: Rob Refsnyder #38 of the New York Yankees is congratulated after scoring against the Detroit Tigers on a single by Jacoby Ellsbury of the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on June 2, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

Yankees Game 53: Behind Michael Pineda, offense gets just enough for win

New York Yankees 5 – Detroit Tigers 4

To make up a game in April, the New York Yankees made a stop in Detroit to play the Tigers.

In the first inning, a notably bad inning for Michael Pineda, the Tigers threatened. With one out, J.D. Martinez hit a double and Miguel Cabrera followed with a single to put two on with two outs but Victor Martinez hit right into a double play to bail Pineda out of trouble.

In the third inning, Jose Iglesias got on base with a single but was caught trying to steal second base in another scoreless inning for Michael Pineda. The Tigers managed to score in the fourth inning. Miguel Cabrera led off with a double. With two outs, Justin Upton hit a bloop single to shallow right field, scoring Cabrera and putting the Tigers ahead by one.

While Michael Pineda was seemingly turning his season around tonight, the offense continued to struggle.

Through the first five innings, spot starter Matt Boyd retired the first 14 in a row before Chase Headley reached on a walk to snap the perfect game but the no-hitter remained.

In the sixth inning, Rob Refsnyder ended the no-hitter with a double. On a fly out to left field by Aaron Hicks, Refsnyder advanced to third. Jacoby Ellsbury made a runner on third count when he hit a sacrifice fly to center field, tying the game at one. Starlin Castro and Carlos Beltran added a pair of singles but Mark Teixeira struck out to end the inning.

Pineda returned for the sixth inning and gave up a single to Cabrera before getting the next two outs. At 96 pitches, his night was over. In 5 2/3 innings, Michael Pineda allowed one run on seven hits with no walks and eight strikeouts.

In the seventh inning, Alex Rodriguez and Chase Headley led off with a pair of singles. After a failed sacrifice bunt by Austin Romine, Rob Refsnyder came up with another big hit, a single to bring home Headley for the lead.

Against reliever Bobby Parnell, Aaron Hicks added a run-scoring single. Next reliever, Kyle Ryan came in and gave up a double to right field that scored Refsnyder and Hicks to give he Yankees a 5-1 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Dellin Betances struggled with command as he walked Jarrod Saltalamacchia. After a wild pitch put him in scoring position, Mike Aviles hit a double to bring home the Tigers catcher, reducing the Yankees lead to three but Betances rebounded by striking out the next three.

To start the eighth inning, Didi Gregorius came in as a defensive upgrade, putting Starlin Castro back at second base replacing Refsnyder. This proved to be huge. In the eighth inning, Andrew Miller got the call and also displayed unusual lack of control. After a lead off walk to Miguel Cabrera, Miller struck out Victor Martinez and Nick Castellanos before a walk of Justin Upton put two on with two out. Pinch-hitter Ian Kinsler came in and hit a line drive into the left field corner where Brett Gardner had entered the game for defense. On a throw from Brett Gardner to Didi Gregorius to Austin Romine, the second runner attempting to score was caught, ending the inning despite one run scoring.

With the two-run lead, Aroldis Chapman came in for the ninth inning. Like the other two, Chapman struggled tonight. After a lead off single by Mike Aviles, a passed ball and a walk of Jose Iglesias put two on with no outs. Cameron Maybin attempted to sacrifice himself but reached first for a bunt single, loading the bases with no outs. On a ground ball in the middle of the infield, Didi Gregorius reached it, threw it with his glove and Starlin Castro turned it for a double play with an off balance throw to first base. The run scored but the double play relieved the pressure on Chapman. Miguel Cabrera was the final test for Chapman, who grounded out on the first pitch for the final out of tonight’s nail-biting, heart-racing win. The three-game losing streak is snapped.

 

Win – Dellin Betances (2-2)

Loss – Matt Boyd (0-1)

Save – Aroldis Chapman (8)

Notables

Yankees

*Rob Refsnyder – 2 for 3, 2 R, 2B, RBI (3)

*Jacoby Ellsbury – 1 for 3, 3B, 3 RBI (18)

Tigers

*Mike Aviles – 2 for 4, R, 2B, RBI (2)

*Justin Upton – 1 for 3, BB, RBI (12)

 

Current Yankees Record: 25-28