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Yankees game 87: Offense scores early, pitching survives

Hiroki-Kuroda-walking-off-mound

New York Yankees 9 — Minnesota Twins 7

The Yankees erupt for a lot of offense but the pitching struggles to keep the lead.

Against Ricky Nolasco, the Yankees hit him hard and hit him early. After a lead off walk by Brett Gardner, Derek Jeter would hit a single to right field. Jacoby Ellsbury would hit a high fly to right center field but center fielder Sam Fuld would rob his position opponent of extra bases. Mark Teixeira would follow with a single that scores Gardner and Brian McCann would follow with a double to make it a two-run game. A third run tried to score on the McCann double but Teixeira would be gunned down at home.

The second inning would not go well for Nolasco either as Brian Roberts, Ichiro Suzuki and Kelly Johnson started the inning with three straight singles. Where Brett Gardner would not succeed, Derek Jeter did when he hit a sacrifice fly to center field to make it a three-run game. Jacoby Ellsbury would make his next at-bat count after being robbed of a hit in the first inning with a big three-run home run to double the Yankees lead, giving them six runs through the first two innings.

Ricky Nolasoc lasted just two innings, giving up six runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out none.

After a scoreless third inning by the Yankees offense, the bottom of the order featuring Ichiro Suzuki and Kelly Johnson got it started in the fourth. After a pair of singles by Suzuki and Johnson, Derek Jeter would get another hit to make it a seven-run game. Ellsbury would plate his fourth run batted in on a force out at second base. The Yankees ninth run would come in on a balk by Anthony Swarzak.

After numerous starts without run support, Hiroki Kuroda got an astounding nine runs to work with. Through the first three innings, Hiroki Kuroda allowed one hit but the fourth inning would be a problem.

After a one-out walk and a wild pitch, Oswaldo Arcia would hit a ground ball back to Kuroda. The Yankees’ pitcher would commit an error on the play and the Twins would plate their first run. A pair of doubles would get the Twins their second run of the game but a two-run home run by Chris Colabello would make it a 9-4 game.

Despite a nine-run lead, Hiroki Kuroda lasted just 5.2 innings. He gave up four runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out three. The sizable lead should have been enough for Kuroda to last deeper into the game and give the overworked bullpen a much needed rest. But at 105 pitches, the bullpen would need to finish off the game.

The Twins would score their fifth run of the game on a ground out with runners on against Adam Warren. Their sixth run of the game came on a solo home run by Trevor Plouffe off of recent call-up Jim Miller. Again, despite the nine-run outburst, the 9-6 lead would mean a save opportunity. David Robertson would get the call.

After getting the first out on a strikeout, Robertson would give up a single to former Yankee Eduardo Nunez. A second single would come from Chris Parmelee. Josh Willingham would strikeout for the second out but Arcia would hit a single to make it a two-run game. Kurt Suzuki would ground out and David Robertson got his 21st save of the season.

The three-hit game by Derek Jeter featured his 3,400th career hit. Congratulations Captain.

 

Win – Hiroki Kuroda (6-6)

Loss – Ricky Nolasco (5-7)

Save – David Robertson (21)

 

Notables

Yankees

*Jacoby Ellsbury – 2 for 5, 2 R, 2B, 3-Run Home Run, 4 RBI (40)

*Derek Jeter – 3 for 4, R, 2 RBI (23)

Twins

*Trevor Plouffe – 3 for 4, 2 R, 2B, Solo Home Run (6) in the 8th, 2 RBI (42)

*Chris Colabello – 2 for 3, R, BB, 2B, 2-Run Home Run (6) in the 4th, 2 RBI (34)

 

Current Yankees Record: 44-43