The Yankees got what they needed from starting pitcher Ivan Nova and more than what they needed from their hitters in a 6-3 win over the Royals on Monday. The ball was jumping out of the stadium tonight; the Yankees (5) and Royals (2) hit seven combined homers.
Carolos Beltran had two dingers and Brian McCann, Aaron Hicks and Brett Gardner each had one. Nova went 4 2/3 innings allowing one run on six hits with three strikeouts and only one walk. The bullpen was solid, but not perfect. Kirby Yates and Phil Coke performed well in middle relief, but Shreve and Chapman each gave up a run. It was Chapman’s first game back from his suspension and he came out throwing his blazing fastball. His first three pitches were all clocked at least 100 mph, however he was touched up for a couple of hits including a double and run scoring single.
Headley had a better game and while he still did not collect his first extra base hit, he did go 1 for 2 with a single and a walk. Ben Gamel — recently called up from Triple-A — pinch hit in the eighth inning and got his first major-league hit with a groundball single.
The Play: Carlos Beltran’s First Home run (+.107 WPA)
Top Performers
Yankees: Carolos Beltran (2 for 4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Royals: Alex Gordon (2 for 3, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI)
Notes
– Jacoby Ellsbury is battling a strained hip and is not expected to play Tuesday. A trip to the DL could be forthcoming.
– Starlin Castro sat out Monday night’s game with a rib cage injury he suffered in Sunday’s game against the Red Sox. Girardi seemed “concerned” about this latest injury, but Castro has said he will be able to play shortly.
– CC Sabathia says that he should be able to resume his spot in the rotation once his 15 day DL stint is over.
– A-Rod has a one-plus grade right hamstring strain, but possibly might only need the minimum 15 days on the DL. The Yankees are hoping he can come back on May 19th.
– The Nationals signed Steven Strasburg to a multi-year deal ending the rumors the Yankees might be a possible landing place for the young starter.
The Quote
“I was very anxious to put on the uniform and help my team. I wanted to pitch and it was great.” – Aroldis Chapman.
The Highlight: Beltran’s Second Home run (because one isn’t enough)
Up Next
The Yankees and Royals will go at it again on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. Masahiro Tanaka is on the bump for the Yankees and the projected starter for the defending champs is Kris Medlen. Tanaka has been one of the few bright spots for the Yankees so far this season, and is coming off a solid outing where he went eight innings with seven strikeouts, but did not factor into the decision. Tanaka is slightly outperforming his FIP (FIP: 2.56, ERA: 2.29) so there is a chance for some regression coming up. Even if that happens Tanaka would still be having a great start to his 2016 season.
Journeyman Kris Medlen has a DRA of 6.07 and arguably had his worst performance of the year in his last start. He only lasted two innings while giving up nine runs; six of which were earned. The Yankees might have to find a way to win other than the homerun in this game as Medlen has a 51 percent groundball rate this season compared to tonight’s starter Chris Young’s 33 percent mark.
Photo: Anthony Grupposo / USA Today Sports; Video: MLB.com