New York Yankees 2 – Oakland Athletics 3 (18 innings)
This day game turned night ends with a 3-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics in 18 innings and completed the sweep of the Yankees.
The Yankees have had an abysmal offense but Robinson Cano reminded what a Bronx Bomber looks like. On a first-pitch fastball with Gardner on second, Robbie Cano would put the Yankees ahead in the first inning with a two-run home run to center field. Who would have thought this would be all the runs the Yankees scored today?
For the Yankees, Hiroki Kuroda looked to help salvage one game of this three-game series. Through the first two innings, Kuroda was in control. Walks would be the trigger to change. A leadoff walk to Chris Young would be followed by a single from Eric Sogard to put runners on first and second. In a bold move, Young and Sogard would steal second and third, putting themselves in scoring position. This would be big as the first run for the A’s would come in on Derek Norris’ ground out. Eric Sogard would be caught stealing third and it would seem the momentum of the inning changed.
Then another walk, to John Jaso, would put a runner on for Seth Smith. On a line drive to right field, Jaso would put the effort in to try and score from first. From right field, Ichiro Suzuki would throw to Robinson Cano in relay and he would throw a laser to catcher Chris Stewart ahead of the runner. However, when Stewart put the tag on Jaso, the ball was in his bare hand and the tying run would score. Hiroki Kuroda would go on to retire the next 15 he faced.
Through eight innings, Kuroda allowed two runs on two walks and two hits with three strikeouts.
Oakland starter Jarrod Parker would not have as much smooth sailing as Kuroda but he would also go eight innings. He allowed two runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. But clearly, Parker and Kuroda would not be important in the decision.
In the ninth inning, David Robertson took the mound and would give the Yankees a scare, allowing two hits but striking out the side to start free baseball. Boone Logan and Shawn Kelley would complete the 10th inning. With the bullpen doing so well, what was the offense doing?
To be honest, they were not doing enough.
In the 11th inning, Brett Gardner would lead off with a bunt single that pitcher Jerry Blevins threw away, allowing Gardner to advance to second. Jayson Nix would successfully bunt to move Gardner to third base. Robinson Cano would be walked and Mark Teixeira would get hit by a pitch to load the bases. All the Yankees needed was a fly ball to bring home the go-ahead run but Travis Hafner would strikeout swinging and Kevin Youkilis would be called on strike three to end he inning. Rally ended.
In the 12th inning, with two outs, Chris Stewart would single and advance to second on a throwing error by shortstop Jed Lowrie. Brett Gardner would be walked intentionally to face Jayson Nix. The utility man of the Yankees would strikeout swinging. Rally ended, again.
In the 13th inning, Robinson Cano would lead off the inning with a double. Mark Teixeira would be intentionally walked to face Travis Hafner. The Yankees designated hitter would fly out. Kevin Youkilis and Vernon Wells would each strikeout swinging. Rally ended, again.
In the 14th inning, Ichiro Suzuki would lead off the inning with a single. Chris Stewart would successfully sacrifice Ichiro to second base. Brett Gardner would walk and pinch-hitter Lyle Overbay would pop out. Robinson Cano would be eventually intentionally walked to load the bases before Mark Teixeira would pop out to end the inning. Rally ended, again.
So how did the Yankees get so many failed opportunities to score? Adam Warren gave them an outstanding relief appearance.
Adam Warren got the first six batters he faced out. In the 15th inning, Warren’s fifth inning of work, a single and a wild pitch would put Brandon Moss in scoring position. The next batter would walk and pinch-hitter Coco Crisp would come up with a single to left field that would land in front of Vernon Wells. The Yankees left fielder winded up and threw home to Chris Stewart blocking the plate and Moss would barrel into him with a collision looking to win the game. But Stewart would endure the hit, holding onto the ball for the second out of the inning. Warren would help make the collision count as he strikes out the last batter of the inning and let the game continue.
For Adam Warren, in essence, he gave the Yankees a quality start as he went six scoreless innings with four hits and two walks while striking out four. He definitely deserves credit and praise for his efforts.
Preston Claiborne would get the 17th inning and would start the 18th. With one out, Claiborne would give up a single and that would be the end of his day. It was understandable as Claiborne had worked in the previous two games already. Mariano Rivera would be called on in this spot. A broken bat single would put runners on the corners. To have a force at every base, Jed Lowrie would be intentionally walked. Nate Freiman would come through five hours after the game started with a game-winning single to left field.
In the 4-7 spots in the lineup, (Teixeira, Hafner, Youkilis, Wells) the Yankees went 0 for 28 with 12 strikeouts. The bullpen went eight innings without allowing a run until Claiborne and Rivera combined for the last inning of the game.
Win – Jesse Chavez (1-0)
Loss – Preston Claiborne (0-1)
Notables
Yankees
*Robinson Cano – 3 for 6, R, 2 BB, 2 2B, 2-Run Home Run (16) in the 1st, 2 RBI (42)
*Brett Gardner – 2 for 6, R, 2 BB, 2B,
Athletics
*Nate Freiman – 1 for 2, Game-winning single, RBI (16)
*John Jaso – 2 for 7, 2 R, BB
Current Yankees Record: 37-29
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