The Yankees lost a tough game on a rainy night in downtown Detroit on Monday. CC Sabathia pitched a complete game as he went eight innings and allowed just two earned runs to Tigers lineup that has been ripping opposing left-handed pitchers to shreds as of late. Sabathia cruised through six innings facing the minimum number of batters thanks to three double plays and picking off Jose Iglesias at first. Sabathia got in his first real jam of the night in the seventh inning and allowed back-to-back run scoring hits to J.D. Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes with two outs. Despite how well he had pitched and both of the run scoring hits coming on ground ball singles (Martinez’ even hit off shortstop Didi Gregorius’ glove), the pair of runs was enough for the Tigers as the Yankees offense could only muster one run against starter Alfredo Simon, who allowed a solo home run to Mark Teixeira in the second inning.
Despite the 2-1 score, this was an exciting game throughout as the defense for both sides consistently made outstanding plays, though none were more spectacular than Jose Iglesias’ throw to retire Brett Gardner.
I mean, I don’t even know what to really say about this play because I didn’t know anyone could that. It’s incredible. While Iglesias doesn’t get a ton on the throw as it’s a one-hopper to Miguel Cabrera at first, he released the throw so quickly that it still got there in plenty of time to nail Gardner. What a play.
If not for Iglesias’ play, which might still end up being one of the best plays of the year at the end of the season, Jacoby Ellsbury’s catch to rob Victor Martinez of extra bases would’ve been the play of the game.
Ellsbury covered a ton of ground on this play as you can see his momentum takes him to the warning track in right-center after the diving catch.
Sabathia, who will likely be picking up the check the next time he and Ellsbury break bread, seemed to really appreciate the effort.
Bottom WPA Play (-.280): It seemed like the Yankees were poised to get back in the game in the eight inning. Chase Headley started the inning with a leadoff single, Stephen Drew bunted him over to second base, and Gregoirus followed with a single. The Yankees held Headley at third on the single, which was probably the right call, but didn’t look great when Rajai Davis bobbled the ball momentarily in shallow center. With first and third and one out, the Yankees were still in a prime scoring opportunity. Then this happened.
It was like a nightmare, only this was real. The fastest guy on the team hits a bullet that’s not only right to the second basemen, but also takes his momentum towards second base so he gets the ball to the shortstop even quicker. The cherry on top of this debacle, of course, is that it came against former Yankee prospect Joba Chamberlain, who predictably pumped his fist afterward. If Ellsbury hits the ball almost anywhere else, the game is tied, but, ah, such is life.
Up Next: The Yankees are in Detroit for four games and game two will see Nathan Eovaldi against the left-handed Kyle Lobstein. While the weather might be cold and rainy again in Detroit tonight, we should expect more than just three runs combined with these two on the mound.
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