BRONX, N.Y. — It was quite the whacky game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The New York Yankees were looking to sweep the division-rival Baltimore Orioles and push their lead to two games, but squandered nearly every opportunity they had to win the game. The O’s squeaked out a victory in 11 innings, 7-4.
Wade Miley was on the bump for the Orioles and had a very similar start to his first one against the Yankees in Baltimore. Miley walked five batters, struck out six and allowed two earned runs in five innings of action. In both of his starts against the Yankees, Miley has issued 12 walks combined in only 10 innings. In Miley’s five starts this season, over half of his walks issued have come against the Yankees.
In 2 starts vs Yankees this year, Miley has pitched 10 innings and allowed 2 earned runs. He’s walked TWELVE. Only one of those walks scored
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) April 30, 2017
The rookie Jordan Montgomery matched Miley’s five innings on the afternoon, but one-upped him in the strikeout category. Montgomery finished with seven strikeouts but walks were an issue for him as well. The southpaw walked four batters and was pulled from the game in the sixth inning due to his high pitch count.
Reliever Jonathan Holder couldn’t limit the damage for his teammate in the sixth inning as he allowed two hits and two earned runs — charged to Montgomery. The Orioles led 4-2 going into the ninth inning and pandemonium ensued shortly after.
THANK YOU, SIR!!@DidiG18 ties it 4-4 in the 9th with a 2-run single!!! pic.twitter.com/ix2Enb3rcz
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 30, 2017
Didi Gregorious notched the game-tying hit for the Yankees that plated home two runs with two outs, but what followed was rather bizarre. In a move that sought to protect the arms in the bullpen, Joe Girardi moved Bryan Mitchell, a relief pitcher, to first base in the top of the tenth inning.
Girardi’s logic was that Chapman only had one inning in him and Tommy Layne was the only other available arm in the bullpen, and he isn’t a long relief option.
Chapman closed things down in the top of the tenth inning and the Yankees had a legitimate chance to win the game in the bottom half. The Bronx Bombers loaded the bases with only one out and failed to score a run to win the game.
Following that, Bryan Mitchell came on to pitch in the top of the 11th inning and allowed three runs, which ultimately cost the Yankees a victory. With the loss, the Yankees fell to 15-8 on the year but still remain tied with the Orioles for the division lead.
The Yankees are back in action on Monday night when they take on the Toronto Blue Jays for the first time this year. Luis Severino will get the nod against Marco Estrada.
Win- Logan Verrett
Loss- Bryan Mitchell
Notes:
Matt Holliday would have had the chance to hit in the tenth inning had Girardi not went with the move to put Mitchell at first base. Holliday hit a HR earlier in the game so taking the bat out of his hands in that situation was a questionable decision.
Follow Dean on Twitter: @DeanBibens
