New York Yankees 2 – Houston Astros 1
With the backend bullpen dynamic altered, the Yankees entered Houston to take on the Astros.
Michael Pineda looked to get off to a good start in Houston but lead off hitter George Springer had different ideas. After a scoreless first inning by Dallas Keuchel, George Springer greeted the first-pitch fastball with a deep swing to put the Astros ahead on the solo home run.
Dallas Keuchel worked through the Yankees order the first time around. He allowed a single in the third inning but generated a double play to end the inning. In the fifth inning, Didi Gregorius got on with a two-out double to center field. Chase Headley dropped a soft fly ball to shallow right center that allowed Gregorius to score and tie the game at 1.
Pineda allowed two singles after the first inning to get him to the sixth inning where a familiar struggle looked to be haunting the big righty. After retiring the first two batters in the sixth inning, Jose Altuve reached on a single. Carlos Correa and Luis Valbuena walked to load the bases with rookie Alex Bregman making his major league debut tonight. Bregman flew out deep to right field, stranding the bases loaded and keeping the game tied.
In seven innings, Michael Pineda allowed one run on five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.
After seven innings of one-run baseball against Dallas Keuchel, the Yankees got a rally going in the eighth inning. Chase Headley led off with a single and Austin Romine reached Tal’s Hill in center for a run-scoring double that put the Yankees ahead by one.
With the lead intact going into the bottom of the eighth, Dellin Betances came on. With a strikeout of Preston Tucker, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa; Betances easily passed along the lead by striking out the side.
In the ninth inning, Luis Valbuena reached base with a soft single to shallow left field against new closer Andrew Miller. Rookie Bregman struck out for an 0-for-4 night in his major league debut but Evan Gattis reached base after no outs were recorded on a potential double play. Thankfully, the Yankees got a second double play ball from Miller and it was turned smoothly to end tonight’s game with a gritty win in a pitcher’s duel.
The Yankees are three games over .500 for the first time this year.
Win – Michael Pineda (5-9)
Loss – Dallas Keuchel (6-10)
Save – Andrew Miller (8)
Notables
Yankees
*Austin Romine – 2 for 3, 2B, RBI (18)
*Chase Headley – 2 for 3, R, RBI (31)
Astros
*George Springer – 1 for 4, R, Solo home run (22) in the 1st, RBI (60)
*Luis Valbuena – 3 for 3, BB
Current Yankees Record: 51-48
