After last night’s blunder on the mound in the top of the ninth inning, by assumed-to-be interim closer, David Robertson, the Yankees need to bounce back in a big way in tonight’s battle of the best, between the Tampa Bay’s David Price and New York’s C.C. Sabathia.
Last night, David Phelps gave the team a pretty solid start, going 4.2 innings and giving up only three hits and no runs in a tight game that went to the end with a score of 1-0, Yanks on top. The bullpen stayed strong but the replacement closer, Robertson, was rattled quickly in his first save attempt. Two fast hits and a walk loaded the bases with no outs. A sacrifice fly ensued which tied the game with two runners still on. Then the game was crushed and broken wide open by a three-run homer off the bat of Matt Joyce and the Yankees were unable to answer back.
The loss, evened the series 1-1 and pushed New York down to 3.5 games back in the division now. The Yankees desperately need a win tonight to avoid falling further behind.
It may be yet another low-scoring pitchers duel in the Bronx for the last game against the Rays, as the aces will get the ball for both clubs. They’ve both been on a roll as of late too. Price has looked untouchable, keeping the hit count low and ERA even lower, holding down a 2.35 ERA on the season with a 5-1 record. Sabathia has held his own as well, winning four straight decisions, he’ll strive to maintain this streak and his undefeated record to give the Yanks a much needed win tonight.
The bombers have provided a decent amount of run support in Sabathia’s previous starts however. Being that the Yanks have slacked in that department lately, Sabathia will have to bring his best stuff to the mound tonight. He may not have the bats behind him, depending on what Yankees step up big at the plate as the lineup was shaken up a bit by Joe Girardi.
New York Yankees (16-14)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Curtis Granderson CF
Andruw Jones LF
Eduardo Nunez 3B
Chris Stewart C
Pitching: C.C. Sabathia
TV: MLBN, YES
Radio: WADO 1280, WCBS 880
