Cincinnati Reds 2 — New York Yankees 3
Unexpected eighth leads to unexpected ninth for third straight win and a New York Yankees sweep.
The New York Yankees got three on in the second inning but a strikeout of Mark Teixeira by Johnny Cueto. That would be the one true threat at scoring against Cueto through the first four innings. On the other side, Hiroki Kuroda was looking to match zeroes with the National League All-Star.
In the fifth inning, Hiroki Kuroda generated a ground ball from shortstop Zack Cozart but second baseman Brian Roberts committed his ninth error in the field, allowing Cozart to reach base to start the inning. Ramon Santiago would sacrifice Cozart over and with two outs, Skip Schumaker would hit a ground-rule double down the right field line and the Reds got on the scoreboard first.
The second half Yankees continue to pickup their starters with bounce back innings to get them the lead.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, Kelly Johnson and Brett Gardner would walk to put two on. Derek Jeter would cash-in with runners in scoring position and hit a single to right field, tying the game. Jacoby Ellsbury would follow with a single of his own and that put the Yankees ahead.
The New York Yankees had to contend with All-Star Johnny Cueto and they did it the best way they could. The Yankees offense worked the count and got Cueto out of the game. In just five innings, Cueto allowed two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out seven. He needed 112 pitches to get through today’s start. Reliever Manny Parra would give up two one-out singles before getting the second out on a strikeout of Zelous Wheeler. An error by third baseman Ramon Santiago would load the bases but Sam Lecure would get out of it for Parra, stranding the bases loaded.
Hiroki Kuroda would get the first two outs of the seventh inning before exiting to a great ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd. Dellin Betances would allow a single but got a strikeout to end the inning.
In 6.2 innings, Hiroki Kuroda allowed one unearned run on three hits and walked two while striking out six. A great start by Hiroki Kuroda to start his second half of the season strong.
Skip Schumaker would start the eighth inning with a single off of Betances but he would get picked off. Entering today’s game, Dellin Betances had gotten the last 26 right-handed batters out. Then, in a matchup of All-Stars, Dellin Betances would give up a hit to Todd Frazier. The New Jersey native would pull his hands in on an inside fastball from Betances and pulled it over the left field wall, tying the game at two and leaving Hiroki Kuroda with no decision in the game.
The Yankees would strand Jacoby Ellsbury on third in the seventh inning and leave Wheeler on first in the eighth inning so the Yankees would need some walk-off magic to complete the sweep. Magic or some kind of craziness would come into play.
With the game tied, the Reds’ closer Aroldis Chapman got the call. Throwing 100+ on the radar gun, Jacoby Ellsbury would battle, spoiling pitches before finally getting a single to left field. During the Mark Teixeira at-bat, Ellsbury would steal second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After a strikeout of Teixeira, Brian McCann would get the walk-off opportunity. On a 1-0 pitch, Brian McCann would hit a light pop up behind first base and just beyond the infield dirt, the second baseman, first baseman and right fielder would converge, only for the ball to drop in and the Yankees had the unorthodox walk-off hit for the sweep.
Win – David Robertson (1-2)
Loss – Aroldis Chapman (0-3)
Notables
Reds
*Todd Frazier – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (20) in the 8th, RBI (54)
*Skip Schumaker – 2 for 3, BB, 2B, RBI (15)
Yankees
*Brian McCann – 2 for 5, RBI (41)
*Jacoby Ellsbury – 4 for 4, R, BB, 2B, RBI (45)
Current Yankees Record: 50-47
