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Kuroda's four-run fourth inning was enough for the loss tonight. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Yankees Game 61: Four-run fourth too much in loss

Kuroda’s four-run fourth inning was enough for the loss tonight. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

New York Yankees 1 — Seattle Mariners 4

 

Kuroda’s struggle to finish the fourth is big in tonight’s 4-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

For the Mariners, Jeremy Bonderman would make his second start of the season. A leadoff double by Brett Gardner and a walk of Robinson Cano would appear to put Bonderman into early trouble. It would take a fielder’s choice and a deep ground out to bring in Gardner for the first run of the game. In the second inning, an error by shortstop Brendan Ryan and a single would appear to start a rally again. Failed attempts a bunt would leave lead runner, Vernon Wells caught stealing. A strikeout looking and a fly out would kill the rally.

Bonderman would settle down and finish with a great pitching line. In six innings, Bonderman allowed one run on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Hiroki Kuroda started for the Yankees and presented a bend-not-break attitude through the first three innings, allowing at least one Mariner to reach base but stranding them. The fourth inning was when Kuroda would break.

Kuroda would start the fourth inning with a pair of ground outs in what looked like quick work. A ground-rule double over the head of centerfielder Brett Gardner would, surprisingly, be the start of a rally. Kuroda would proceed to walk the next two batters and defensive shortstop Brendan Ryan would come through with a two-run single, turning the Yankees 1-0 lead into a 2-1 deficit. Another single would reload the bases and former Met/Red Sox outfielder, Jason Bay, would come through too.

The four-run rally would be the only blemish on Kuroda’s pitching line. In 6.1 innings, Kuroda allowed four runs on eight hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

The Yankees would get one hit, with one out in the ninth inning, off the Mariners bullpen. It was a double for Kevin Youkilis off of Tom Wilhelmsen but a line out to third baseman Kyle Seager would end the game. The Yankees should have been able to score off of Jeremy Bonderman, who allowed seven runs in less than five innings in his first start of the season.

Also, for Bonderman this was his first win since September 2010.

 

Win – Jeremy Bonderman (1-1)

Loss – Hiroki Kuroda (6-5)

Save – Tom Wilhelmsen (15)

 

Notables

Yankees

*Brett Gardner – 1 for 3, R, BB, 2B

*Kevin Youkilis – 1 for 4, 2B

Mariners

*Brendan Ryan – 1 for 4, R, 2 RBI (13)

*Jason Bay – 2 for 3, BB, 2B, 2 RBI (17)

 

Current Yankees Record: 35-26

 

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