Uneasiness turned into jubilation as Aaron Hicks’s solo blast in the eighth inning, out of nowhere, lifted the Yankees to a much-needed 3-2 victory in the opening game of their three-game set with Boston.
It was an unusual night to say the least. Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury left the game in the first inning due to a “tight right hip,” Michael Pineda looked awful in the first inning, then ace-like in the following frames, and Phil Coke threw pitches in the bullpen. Boston managed 13 hits, yet the Yankees held them at bay just enough to come away with the win.
And, on top of it all, the game ended in dramatic fashion. Boston threatened in the ninth, loading the bases against a fatigued Andrew Miller, when David Ortiz became irate over a strike call on 3-1, and struck out looking on 3-2. John Farrell was tossed, then Ortiz himself was tossed from the dugout, and the entire sequence culminated with the two running out and nearly fighting home plate umpire Ron Kulpa.
Here’s an entire post about the David Ortiz ejection.
Who knows what’s going to happen next with this team? Each inning is more unpredictable than the next. From random pitching implosions, to unforeseen offensive contributions, the Yankees can be both inspiring and disappointing several times over the course of a game. That’s how the season has been, and that’s likely how it will continue. Friday night was one of the good nights, though, despite a rough start.
The Play: Aaron Hicks’s solo shot to right (+.205 WPA)
Hicks swung at a first-pitch changeup from Rick Porcello at 86 mph and drove it into the right field seats. This was just his fourth hit of the season, in 35 at-bats. After the home run, the Stadium lights flickered in celebration. It was strange, but cool.
Top Performers
Yankees: Aaron Hicks (1-for-2, HR)
Red Sox: David Ortiz (1-for-5, 2-run HR)
Notes
– Here’s a video of Ellsbury’s injury:
– Ben Gamel made his major-league debut, entering in the top of the eighth for Ackley.
– Pineda appeared extremely upset with Hicks in the sixth after he misplayed a pair of balls in centerfield. For all the talk about his arm, he’s been very boom-or-bust in playing batted balls.
– Only two more games until Aroldis Chapman is active.
The Quote
“They got an infield hit, a blooper…what else do they want to go their way? They can’t have it all.” – Andrew Miller, on Ortiz’s at-bat in the ninth.
The Highlight: Ortiz’s ejection in the ninth
Up Next
It’s David Price day on Saturday at the Stadium. Joe Girardi initially thought Price was actually pitching on Friday, so maybe he’ll be extra-prepared to face him. Price comes in with a shaky ERA (6.14), but so does his opponent Nathan Eovaldi (5.46). Eovaldi has been a wild card this season, allowing six runs in his last start after throwing seven shutout innings the outing prior.
Lead photo: Adam Hunger / USATSI