Top Play (WPA): While today’s game was primarily controlled by New York, the top play WPA-wise belongs to Oakland. In the top of the second, Josh Reddick reached base on a catcher’s interference call. Billy Butler followed by lining a double to left to score Reddick, increasing Oakland’s chances of winning by 14 percent.
Bottom Play (WPA): Ike Davis walked after Butler’s double, setting up a two on and no out situation for Brett Lawrie, Oakland’s hero on Tuesday. Lawrie proceeded by grounded into a double play. Although the A’s ended up scoring later in the inning, Lawrie’s GIDP decreased Oakland’s chances of winning by 11 percent
Key Moment(s): The first key moment came in the fourth with the game tied at two. After a one out walk by Stephen Drew, Cole Figueroa knocked a ball sharply down the line, with questions if the hit was fair or foul. First base umpire John Tumpane jumped out of the way to call the ball fair. The next batter, Jacoby Ellsbury, hit a nearly identical ball down the line in which Tumpane was forced to avoid again. The second hit of the inning down the right field line resulted in two runs being scored.
The second key moment took place in the eighth, with Ellsbury up again. With runners on second and third, Ellsbury knocked a ground ball to shortstop Marcus Semien, who threw the ball away for his league-leading 27th error. This play resulted in two more runs, increasing New York’s lead to four.
Milestone Day for Gardner:
.@Yankees OF Brett Gardner to replace injured @Royals OF Alex Gordon on AL #ASG roster. http://t.co/jnM1N6O1G2 pic.twitter.com/oxTv1vrQZ4
— #FinalVote (@MLB) July 9, 2015
Along with getting selected for the all-star game, Gardner knocked his 50th career home run and 750th career hit.
Coming Next: The Yankees will travel to Boston for a weekend series against the Red Sox. Probables for tomorrow’s 7:10 game are Michael Pineda and Clay Buchholz. Pineda is 8-5 on the year with a 3.79 ERA. In his last start, he pitched seven innings of five hit, shutout ball, striking out 10 Rays. His opponent, Clay Buchholz, is 7-6 with a 3.27 ERA. Buchholz has also sparkled of late, posting a 5-0 record and 1.99 ERA in his last seven starts. This will be the last series before the all-star break.
(Photo: Andy Marlin-USA Today Sports)