McCullers, Astros hand Yankees third straight loss

BRONX, N.Y. – The New York Yankees fell to the Houston Astros in their third straight loss on Friday night. Lance McCullers and the Astros were able to limit the Bronx Bombers to only one run and won by a score of 5-1. “McCullers curveball was the difference in this one,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. McCullers fired six shutout innings, striking out seven and allowing only four hits. The hard-throwing righty is usually prone to walking batters, but honed in on the strike zone is his efficient start.

Joe Girardi on #Yankees' offensive scuffles Friday night & Chase Headley's 7th-inning ejection. pic.twitter.com/mvYXNT0Imv

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 13, 2017

The Yankees are now a combined 2-18 with runners in scoring position to start this series and have not been able to produce runs. “I don’t think they are trying to do too much up there,” Girardi said. “We’ve gone up against two really good pitchers these past few nights and this is going to happen throughout the course of a long season.” Former Yankee Brian McCann opened up the scoring in the top of the 4th inning when he hit a three-run HR off of Yankees’ lefty, Jordan Montgomery. Montgomery pitched six innings while allowing four earned runs and eight hits, but did strikeout seven Houston hitters. After starting out the year at a scorching pace, Yankees’ third baseman Chase Headley has fallen off the radar. Headley is now hitting .263 after tonight’s 0-2 performance, and is 1-for-his-last-17. He was also ejected for arguing, what appeared to be, a hit by pitch with the umpire. The only Yankees’ only run came in the bottom of the ninth inning when Didi Gregorius singled home a run. The Yankees will try and rebound on Saturday afternoon when Luis Severino takes on Astros’ starter Mike Fiers. The Yankees currently sit at 21-12 and remain only a half game out of first place in the AL East. Win- Lance McCullers Loss- Jordan Montgomery For more from Dean, follow him on Twitter @DeanBibens.