Yankees Game 70: Offense cannot keep up with Nova struggles

Interleague was underway in the Bronx as Ivan Nova struggled with the potent Rockies offense.

Colorado Rockies 8 – New York Yankees 4

Following a day off, the Yankees started an interleague series at home with the Colorado Rockies.

Ivan Nova looked to turn things around after five consecutive bad starts but his sixth start could not get to a worse start. Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon led off the game with a solo home run to right field.

After singles by DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez hit a line drive to right field. On the play, the ball got under Carlos Beltran's glove, allowing Gonzalez to reach second for a run-scoring single with an error. Nova got the first out but a single loaded the bases. On a ground ball to center field, Starlin Castro made a diving stop and throw to Didi Gregorius for the second out, likely saving an additional run from scoring in the three-run first inning.

Brett Gardner started the first inning against Chad Bettis with a single and advanced to third on an infield single by Carlos Beltran that also featured a catching error by the pitcher. Alex Rodriguez grounded into a double play, scoring a run but dousing a potentially bigger inning.

In the second inning, Charlie Blackmon reached base on an error by first baseman Rob Refsnyder. After a single put runners on the corners and a stolen base put two in scoring position, Nolan Arenado made the productive sacrifice fly to put the Rockies ahead 4-1.

The Yankees added another run in the second inning when Didi Gregorius got on with a one-out double. He advanced on a ground out and scored on an error to bring the Yankees within two.

Ivan Nova pitched a much-needed scoreless inning but Charlie Blackmon continued making a resounding impact on tonight's game when he hit his second home run of the night in the fourth inning. In the fifth inning, Carlos Gonzalez led off with a double and a walk was the end for Nova on the mound. Reliever Nick Goody came in and gave up a run-scoring double with two outs to put the Rockies back ahead by three and wrapping up the unattractive line for Ivan Nova.

In just four innings, Ivan Nova allowed six runs, five earned, on eight hits with two walks and one strikeout.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Yankees appeared to be generating a rally with one out. Brett Gardner reached base for the third time with a walk and Carlos Beltran put runners on the corners with a single. Alex Rodriguez hit a fly out to left fielder Ryan Raburn. On the play, Gardner scored but Beltran attempted to advance to second base, resulting in a double play that ended the inning, Yankees trailing 6-3.

Nick Goody returned for the sixth inning but gave up a two-run home run to Nolan Arenado. Richard Bleier came on to finish the inning but the Yankees trailed 8-3.

The Yankees added a run in the sixth inning when Didi Gregorius came up with Starlin Castro on first base. The Yankees shortstop hit a deep fly ball to straightaway center field that Blackmon could not track down. As it rolled away, Gregorius reached third with a run-scoring triple.

In the seventh inning, Gonzalez Germen came on in relief but stranded Rob Refsnyder and Brett Gardner after they got on base to start the last opportunity for the Yankees to score.

The Yankees finished tonight 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Win – Chad Bettis (6-5)

Loss – Ivan Nova (5-5)

Notables

Rockies

*Nolan Arenado – 3 for 4, 2 R, Two-run home run (21) in the 6th, 3 RBI (60)

*Charlie Blackmon – 2 for 5, 3 R, Two solo home runs (10) in the 1st & 4th, 2 RBI (33)

Yankees

*Brett Gardner – 2 for 3, 2 R, 2 BB

*Didi Gregorius – 2 for 4, R, 2B, 3B, RBI (31)

Current Yankees Record: 34-36