Yankees game 61: Offense ties it, Phelps returns it

New York Yankees 4 -- Kansas City Royals 8

The Yankees exhibited some fight once but at least two fights were needed tonight.

After a scoreless first inning, David Phelps got hit around in the second. Designated hitter Billy Butler started the second with a double to left field. Left fielder Alex Gordon would follow with a double of his own, scoring Butler. A pair of singles after this would score another run. A third single, the fifth hit of the inning, would plate the third run for the Royals and Phelps created an early hole for the Yankees to dig out of.

Through the first five innings against Royals' starter Danny Duffy; the Yankees managed to get just two hits and one was erased on a caught stealing. The Yankees would rally back in the sixth inning. With two on and two out in the sixth inning, Carlos Beltran would get his first hit since returning from the disabled list, a double to deep left field that scored the first Yankees run of the game. The next batter, Yangervis Solarte, would hit a diving fly ball to right center field that Lorenzo Cain dived and missed on, allowing two runs to score and tie the game.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, David Phelps would lose the strike zone to open the bottom of the sixth. Phelps would walk Billy Butler and Alex Gordon to put two on for catcher Salvador Perez. The Royals' catcher would hit a blast to left field to recover all three runs that the Yankees just scored. The fourth run of the inning came after a triple and a two-out single. The run-scoring single finally ended the night for Phelps.

In 5.2 innings, David Phelps allowed a season-high seven runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out four.

Reliever Matt Daley would give up a home run to Eric Hosmer and the Yankees would rally for one run but the Yankees were trailing by five in a bad loss despite the offense having a nice burst.

Win - Aaron Crow (3-1)

Loss - David Phelps (1-4)

Notables

Yankees

*Yangervis Solarte - 2 for 3, R, BB, 2B, 2 RBI (28)

*Carlos Beltran - 1 for 4, R, 2B, RBI (16)

Royals

*Salvador Perez - 3 for 4, R, BB, 2B, 3-Run Home Run (6) in the 6th, 3 RBI (20)

*Lorenzo Cain - 3 for 4, 2 R, 3B, RBI (23)

Current Yankees Record: 31-30