There is little that can be done in the face of overwhelming pitching. Sometimes a team will face a pitcher that is bad, and will nonetheless perform poorly. That is not what happened on Sunday. Michael Fulmer was brilliant for his fifth straight start, tossing six straight scoreless innings and only allowing two hits and three walks. Fulmer has now pitched 28.3 straight scoreless innings, which is the best such streak in the big leagues this year. His outing was the main factor in a 4-1 New York loss. The Yankees managed just four hits and four walks in total on the day, giving just as feeble a showing against the better part of a weak Detroit bullpen. Former Yankees Shane Greene and Justin Wilson set up closer Francisco Rodriguez, who shut the door with authority by striking out the side.
The good news is that Michael Pineda had yet another strong start. The Tigers scored just two runs off Big Mike, and both runs were hard-earned and manufactured. Pineda struck out eight while allowing two walks and six hits. His slider looked sharp once again, his new arm slot clearly paying dividends. The big righty worked out of a bases-loaded jam while allowing just a single run. It was another step in the right direction for Pineda, but unfortunately, it will go down as another loss.
Baseball is cruel and fickle and not to be trusted. The Yankees are getting exactly what they needed from Pineda; forward progress. That forward progress wasn’t enough to convert to a first down, let alone a win. The shot just didn’t fall, the puck didn’t find the back of the net. Sports metaphor, sports metaphor!
We’re on to Colorado.
The Play: Fulmer neutralizes the threat (-.106 WPA)
This was the biggest threat to Fulmer’s scoreless streak all day. The Yankees had the bases loaded with their best hitter, Carlos Beltran, at the plate. He flew out to center field and the Tigers escaped the inning.
Top Performers
Yankees: Michael Pineda (6 IP, 8 K, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 ER)
Tigers: Michael Fulmer (6 IP, 3 K, 2 H, 3 BB, 0 R)
Notes
– Chase Headley plated the lone Yankee run with an RBI single that scored Jacoby Ellsbury. He also took a pitch off his foot, and had a big ice pack on it after the game. He should be good to go for the next game.
– In case you missed it, the Yankees signed Ike Davis to a big league deal. Yes, that Ike Davis.
– The Yankees actually have an off day tomorrow, as crazy as it sounds. Goodness knows that this old roster needs it.
– Chad Green was optioned to Scranton following the game.
The Highlight: Matsui takes Cone into the second deck
Today was Old Timer’s Day at Yankee Stadium! Here’s Hideki Matsui looking like Hideki Matsui and showing off his old man strength. Awesome.
Up Next
The Yankees will at long last enjoy a day off, and then they’ll fly out to Colorado to take on the Rockies. It’ll be Nathan Eovaldi and Jorge De La Rosa.
Photo: Andy Marlin, USA Today Sports. Video: MLBAM.