New York Yankees 1 – San Diego Padres 2
After losing despite a ninth inning threat, the Yankees looked to get a win with Ivan Nova.
Ivan Nova and Padres’ Drew Pomeranz were in a pitcher’s duel through the first five innings. In the sixth inning, Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a double and advanced to third on an infield single by Brett Gardner. A soft ground out by Starlin Castro brought home Ellsbury and the Yankees took the 1-0 lead.
Needing a shut down inning, Ivan Nova received some help from instant replay. Center fielder Travis Jankowski led off with a single and tried stretching it to a double but was thrown out at second base. Initially called safe, review overturned the call to an out. A walk of Wil Myers later, Ivan Nova was replaced in the game by Dellin Betances. On the first pitch, Myers stole second base. He came around to score on a double by Matt Kemp, tying the game at one. Betances struck out the next batter but Melvin Upton hit a single to right field that appeared to be scoring Kemp from second. On the play, right fielder Rob Refsnyder made a strong throw home where Austin Romine successfully denied Kemp home plate. Replay confirmed the outstanding play at the plate by Rob Refsnyder and Austin Romine.
In 5 1/3 innings, Ivan Nova allowed one run on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Like most of the rotation, Nova entered his start struggling but pitched a great game tonight. Hopefully he can carry this into his next start.
After a scoreless seventh inning by Betances, Ronald Torreyes led the eighth inning off with a walk. He was tagged out on a double play to douse some hope for a rally, despite a two-out double by Brett Gardner.
Andrew Miller pitched a scoreless eighth inning but it required 19 pitches. He returned for the ninth inning and pitch 20 was one he wishes he could have back when Melvin Upton led off with a walk-off solo home run.
Win – Brad Hand (2-2)
Loss – Andrew Miller (5-1)
Notables
Yankees
*Jacoby Ellsbury – 2 for 4, R, 2B
*Brett Gardner – 2 for 4, 2B
Padres
*Melvin Upton – 3 for 4, R, 2B, Walk-off solo home run (13) in the 9th, RBI (39)
*Matt Kemp – 1 for 4, 2B, RBI (54)
Current Yankees Record: 39-41
