CLEVELAND — While Didi Gregorius and Greg Bird hit definite home runs to the stands of Progressive Field, it was Austin Romine‘s unique trot home that provided the difference in New York’s 5-4 win over Cleveland.
Leading off the seventh, Romine sent a Mike Clevinger pitch deep to the alley in right center field. A mishandle by Brandon Guyer would then allow the fleet-footed Yankee catcher to go for third base.
At third, however, a bad throw bounced past Jose Ramirez and the backing up Clevinger and into the Indians’ dugout to allow Romine to scamper home.
Romine w the full fledged inside the park, little league HR!!!!
— Bronx Pinstripes (@BronxPinstripes) July 15, 2018
That one run lead would be more than enough for Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman as they shut the door on this New York win.
Early on, it was looking good for the Bombers, with Gregorius putting them up by three early, before an out was even recorded.
Sir Didi sets the tone. pic.twitter.com/5Bx80NXcXv
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 14, 2018
The scrappy Indians, however, kept fighting back against CC Sabathia, who gave up four hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings of work.
Jose Ramirez first cut into the lead with his 29th homer of the year, before Michael Brantley drove in a run of his own in the third.
Though Bird hit a solo shot in the sixth to increase the Yankee lead, a weird play on a Guyer infield hit allowed two runs to score and tie the game at four.
Romine’s hit two innings later was the difference in the battle between contenders.
Masahiro Tanaka and Trevor Bauer face off in the series finale tomorrow, before the All-Star break.
Current Yankees Record: 62-32
