Gary Sanchez hurt in 5-4 loss to O’s
Joe Girardi inserted Chris Carter and Aaron Hicks into the lineup on Saturday afternoon against the Baltimore Orioles in hopes of sparking the offense, but another blown lead did the Yankees in as they fell 5-4. Greg Bird was ruled out because of a right foot injury he suffered back in spring training. “It can affect [the way you play] if your legs don’t feel sturdy and strong underneath you,” Girardi said. Bird told Girardi after his third at-bat last night that his foot was bothering him. Girardi said that Bird would rest for the next two games in hopes that he will be ready for the home opener against Tampa Bay. Right fielder Aaron Judge, in addition to Bird, most likely needed a mental rest day because of his slow start to the season. The Yankees jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a single to right field by Ronald Torreyes. Chase Headley and a hustling Aaron Hicks, who played well in his first start of the season, scored on the play. Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman struggled with his command all afternoon, but managed to only allow four earned runs on the day. Gausman struck out four, surrendered eight hits and issued two walks in 4.2 innings. In the top of the fifth inning, every Yankees fan held their breath when Gary Sanchez left the game after appearing injured from a big cut at the plate. Sanchez winced in pain as he held his right arm. It was later revealed that he strained his right biceps.
#Yankees' young star Gary Sanchez leaves today's game with an apparent injury
We wish Sanchez the best & hope he's OK. #NYYvsBAL on FS1 now pic.twitter.com/IYWP4zmc0L — FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 8, 2017
Gary Sanchez left the game with a right biceps strain. — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) April 8, 2017
Sanchez’s injury was symbolic of the Yankees bad fortune and play this season. Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka managed to escape trouble in the bottom of the fifth inning, but not before firing 36 pitches and allowing two runs. Tanaka struck out Hyun Soo Kim on a fastball at the knees and then got Jonathan Schoop to pop out to end the inning. Both outs came with the bases loaded. Tanaka doesn’t normally rely on his fastball, but it paid dividends for him against the O’s in the fifth inning. The Japanese righty hit 98 mph on the radar gun a couple of times in the high leverage situation and he finished the day with five strikeouts, four walks, and three earned runs in five innings pitched. An early trend this season has been the Yankees' starters inability to pitch deep into games. So far no starter has recorded an out in the 6th inning of a ballgame.
5th straight game without Yankees starter recording an out in the 6th inning. Ties NYY longest streak to start season (2007). Who were 5?
— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) April 8, 2017
The Orioles tied the game in the bottom of the seventh when Mark Trumbo singled home Chris Davis. Then, Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances yielded the lead to the O’s when Hyun Soo Kim singled and drove home Trumbo. It was the second game in a row that the Yankees pen surrendered a narrow lead late. Zach Britton came on for the O’s in the ninth and ended the game with ease. The O’s improved to 4-0 on the season while the Yankees dropped to 1-4. Win- Mychal Given (1-0) Loss- Dellin Betances (0-1) Save- Zach Britton (3)
NOTES:
Aaron Hicks took advantage in his first start of the season. Hicks drilled a double to center field in his first at-bat and raised his average to .400 on the season. If Hicks continues his consistent play, look for him to overtake the stating right field spot from Judge. Soon after the game ended, it was announced that Sanchez has been placed on the disabled list. There is no timetable for his return at this time. We will continue to update the Sanchez situation as details come out.
Sanchez said he will see doctor in NYC either Monday or Tuesday.No timetable. Added injury is in muscle (not ligament/elbow) #yankees — Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) April 9, 2017