CHICAGO– The New York Yankees were in Chicago on Friday afternoon in a primetime matchup against the Chicago Cubs. Behind the bat of Brett Gardner and his clutch three run homer in the ninth, the Yankees were able to come away with a 3-2 victory.
Up to the ninth inning, the Cubs pitching staff stifled the Yankee bats. Kyle Hendricks started the game for the Cubs and went 5.1 innings, struck out five, while not allowing a run.
The Yankees had their fair share of opportunities to plate across runs – they were 2-11 with runners in scoring position.
Starter Michael Pineda made two mistakes during his outing but, otherwise, pitched well. Pineda went six innings, allowed two earned runs (both solo HR’s), but struck out six while surrendering just three this.
Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber both hit HR’s off of Pineda, which gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead all the way up until the ninth inning.
It ain’t over ’til it’s over. https://t.co/K2eDAXY54H pic.twitter.com/dLvdX0l9bi
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 5, 2017
But as the Yankees have proved all of this season, they weren’t ready to bow down after being down all game. Chase Headley singled, followed by a Jacoby Ellsbury walk. Then down to his final strike, Gardner provided the game-winning hit with a blast off of Hector Rondon to right field. Wade Davis, Cubs’ primary closer, was unavailable on Friday due to the amount of work he had received up to this game.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs had a chance to tie the game when Chase Headley made an error on a ball at third base, which moved Addison Russell all the way to second. Aroldis Chapman had other ideas as he retired the next three Cubs in order to solidify the win for the Bronx Bombers.
With the comeback victory, the Yankees improved to 18-9 on the season and remain first in the American League East. The Cubs fell to 16-13 but remain in first in a weak National League Central division.
Win- Jonathan Holder
Loss- Hector Rondon
Save- Aroldis Chapman
Bronx Pinstripes correspondent Keith McPherson was live in the bleachers at Wrigley today. Check out the action from today’s thrilling game below:
