After having scored two runs or less seven times in the last 11 games, not to mention having lost 10 of those 11 games, entering play Monday, the Yankees took their offensive frustrations out on Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie. In the first five batters of the game for New York, the Yankees had already taken a 5-0 lead and hit two home runs, a two-run shot by Chase Headley and a three-run blast to right by Brian McCann. The Yankees batted around in the first and when Brett Gardner got his second chance against Guthrie with two outs, he hit a three-run home run to right field making it 8-0.
Guthrie struck out Mark Teixeira swinging to end the first and the Royals intended to leave him in the game in an effort to save their bullpen from pitching so much in a blowout, but he wouldn’t record another out in the game. Guthrie started the second inning by walking McCann and after a ground ball single off the bat of Garrett Jones, Stephen Drew of all people slammed a three-run home run to make it 11-0. In all, Guthrie allowed nine hits, three walks, and 11 earned runs while recording only three outs. He allowed 13 of the 16 batters he faced to reach base. Guthrie is just the second starter since at least 1914 to allow at least 11 earner runs without recording at least one out in the second inning.
Key Moment(s): Slade Heathcott blasted his first major league home run in the seventh inning against Kansas City closer Greg Holland, who was just getting some work in. It was a no doubt two-run shot to right field for the former 2009 first round pick by the Yankees. He’s now 5-for-12 in his short time in the majors. Another Yankees prospect reliever Jacob Lindgren made his major league debut in this one and threw two scoreless innings to close out the game.
Trend to Watch: With the eight runs in the first inning Monday, the Yankees now lead the majors in first-inning runs with 48 on the season.
Let’s just watch all of the home runs against Guthrie.
Up Next: The Yankees will face the Royals again in game two of the series Tuesday as Jason Vargas (3-1, 5.26 ERA) makes his return from the disabled list to face Adam Warren (2-3, 4.26 ERA) in the Bronx.
(Photo: Adam Hunger-USA Today Sports)