Dramatic tension is an important part of telling a good story. If there’s no conflict, a story becomes boring. We don’t feel compelled to stay engaged with the story, because what will happen is already clear. It’s why kryptonite had to be invented as a way to bring Superman to his knees. Nothing could stop him, except for that little green rock. Suddenly, the Man of Steel had something to fear.
There’s nothing but fear in a 1-0 ballgame. One bad pitch, one misplay in the field… and the lead could evaporate in an instant. Through a bevy of baserunners (two hits and a whopping six walks), CC Sabathia managed five innings of scoreless ball. His ERA is now down to an unthinkably low 2.58. The Orioles wasted a number of multi-baserunner situations… until the eighth inning.
Dellin Betances was asked to start the 8th inning after having pitched the seventh. With two men on and one out, Joe Girardi decided to fetch Aroldis Chapman at the bullpen. That’s when the skies opened up, and a one-hour, thirty seven-minute rain delay began.
During their time in the clubhouse, perhaps the Yankees took time to think of the 25 men that they had left on base. For they too had squandered many chances to tack on to their lead, the only run scoring when Alex Rodriguez hit a bloop single that brought Jacoby Ellsbury home. Baltimore starter Kevin Gausman did not pitch poorly, but he did not pitch well. The Yankees failed to capitalize.
When the game finally did resume, Chapman retired the first man he faced. Then Francisco Pena singled to right field, and Aaron Hicks bobbled the ball. Only by virtue of a communication error and respect for Hicks’ arm did Mark Trumbo not race home. He did, however, along with Chris Davis behind him, when Matt Wieters doubled. The throw home went to the backstop and Chapman wasn’t there to back up the play, so Pena, a catcher, scored from first base.
And that was that. The Yankees went quietly at the hands of Zach Britton in the ninth, and the road trip finally came to an end.
The Play: Wieters punishes Chapman for mistake
Chapman missed his spot, and Wieters made him pay. The rain delay probably didn’t help matters, but that’s a pitch that’s going to be crushed by a right-handed hitter.
Top Performers
Yankees: CC Sabathia (5.0 IP, 2 H, 5 K, 6 BB, 0 R)
Orioles: Matt Wieters (1-1, 1 backbreaking hit)
Notes
– The Yankees don’t have an off day until the 13th. They’ve been playing since the 23rd of May, and have played 17 of their last 20 on the road.
– Not that it would have made a difference, but Hicks was allowed to lead off the ninth inning against Britton, which is possibly one of the most lopsided matchups possible. Carlos Beltran, who was available off the bench, didn’t bat until he represented the final out. Offering Hicks to Britton as a sacrificial lamb isn’t a good way to win a ballgame.
– A-Rod, Chase Headley and Didi Gregorius all had multi-hit days. They all needed it.
– Did we mention that Sabathia now has a 2.58 ERA? Wowzers.
– This was Chapman’s first blown save as a Yankee.
The Quote
“I know he’s not happy, but I’m sure my dad is proud.” – Francisco Pena, on beating his father’s (first base coach Tony Pena) team.
The Highlight: Camden Yards turns into something out of a disaster movie
Up Next
Mike Trout and the Angels roll into town. Trout is very good, the Angels are not. It’ll be Masahiro Tanaka and Matt Shoemaker.
Photo: Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports