New York Yankees 2 – Atlanta Braves 0
The Yankees could not finish today’s visit to the Atlanta Braves fast enough.
Today’s game featured the other half of the competition for the final starting rotation spot, Ivan Nova. In what is likely his final audition, Nova was brilliant. Through the first three innings, Nova allowed two singles and one walk but did not allow a run to score. He added three more scoreless innings which featured five ground outs as he effectively pitched to contact in today’s very strong start.
In six scoreless innings, Ivan Nova allowed two singles and one walk while striking out two. Based on last spring starts, Nova may have made the last effort to pull ahead in the race.
For the offense, the Yankees were struggling to find the big hit.
In four of the first six innings, the Yankees got a runner into scoring position but did not produce the hit needed to plate the first run of the game.
After six innings by Nova, Andrew Miller entered the game. The first batter, Willians Astudillo, hit a line drive that struck Miller in the right wrist for a single. The Yankees’ lefty exited the game immediately, reportedly visibly upset. Dellin Betances came in to follow and finished off the inning as the Yankees Universe collectively holds their breath, awaiting news on the severity of the injury to the intended Opening Day closer.
It took until the eighth inning for the Yankees to break the scoreless tie. Outfielder Dusin Fowler led off the eighth inning with a triple and third baseman Billy Fleming followed with a triple of his own to put the Yankees ahead by one .Likely backup catcher Austin Romine added an insurance run with a run-scoring single as the Yankees finished the inning with a two-run lead.
Following the two-run eighth inning, Bryan Mitchell came in for relief. The recently announced member of the Opening Day roster struggled today. After a leadoff walk and a single, he got the next two outs but another walk loaded the bases. Mitchell got Astudillo to ground out but in covering first base for the final out, Mitchell injured his left big toe, evident by a noticeable limp on his way to the Yankees clubhouse.
Reliever Kirby Yates continued his bid for a slot in the bullpen with a perfect ninth inning but the talk of today was the two injuries to two important parts of the 2016 Yankees roster.
Win – Dellin Betances
Loss – Alexi Ogando
Save – Kirby Yates
Notables
Yankees
*Aaron Hicks – 3 for 3, 2B
*Austin Romine – 1 for 4, RBI (6)
Braves
*Kelly Johnson – 1 for 2
*Jace Peterson – 1 for 2
