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Yankees game 76: Pitcher’s duel for the series split

New York Yankees 1 – Houston Astros 2

After two games featuring home runs, the series finale was a pitcher’s duel.

In the first inning, both Michael Pineda and Collin McHugh allowed a runner to reach but stranded them on the bases. The Yankees got the first run of the game in the third inning and of course, Brett Gardner was involved. After getting the first out, Stephen Drew walked and advanced on a wild pitch to get into scoring position. Brett Gardner plated the first run of the game with a single to center, scoring Drew and giving the Yankees the early lead.

After Michael Pineda retired the first batter in the fourth inning, a miscommunication on defense proved very costly. Carlos Correa hit a rocket to left center field where Brett Gardner defends center but Garrett Jones, a below average fielder, mans left field. With the ball flying into left center, Jones appeared to get in the way of Brett Gardner making the routine play, causing the ball to drop in on the error.

The young Astros shortstop sped around the bases and received a double and scored on the error in the outfield, tying the game at one. Jose Altuve reached with a single but Brian McCann caught the aggressive second baseman attempting to steal second base to help out Pineda.

In the sixth inning, Brian McCann continued having himself a day behind the plate, catching Domingo Santana in his attempt to steal second. Unfortunately for Pineda, speed from an unexpected source put him in a deficit. After Carlos Correa hit his second double of the game; he advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Altuve to put a runner on third with one out. Evan Gattis gave a hanging slider a ride into left center field that Brett Gardner made a meaningless leaping effort for as the ball bounced off the wall and rolled away to center field. Garrett Jones recovered the ball but Gattis came around to third for his third triple of the season, scoring the go-ahead run for the Astros.

Pineda allowed one more run in the eighth inning when Jason Castro hit a sacrifice fly to score Preston Tucker. In a complete game, eight-inning effort, Michael Pineda allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits without a walk and eight strikeouts.

Outstanding effort with a defensive miscue and a tough pitcher on the other end.

Over eight innings, Collin McHugh allowed one run on two hits and two walks. After the run-scoring single by Gardner in the third inning, McHugh retired 17 of the next 18 batters he faced, only allowing a two-out single to Alex Rodriguez in the eighth inning.

The Yankees went down in order against closer Luke Gregerson in the ninth inning and must settle for a split of the four-game series with the American League West-leading Houston Astros.

 

Win – Collin McHugh (9-3)

Loss – Michael Pineda (8-5)

Save – Luke Gregerson (18)

 

Notables

Yankees

*Brett Gardner – 1 for 3, BB, RBI (39)

*Alex Rodriguez – 1 for 4

Astros

*Carlos Correa – 2 for 3, 2 R, 2 2B

*Evan Gattis – 1 for 3, 3B, RBI (47)

 

Current Yankees Record: 41-35