Melvin Upton Jr. has developed a knack for collecting game-winning hits in 2016. The Yankees’ trio of bullpen aces has been nearly impeccable at preventing hits of any kind. So when Upton strolled to the plate in the ninth inning of Saturday night’s game with the Yankees and Padres tied at one, something had to give. Unfortunately for the Yankees, it was Andrew Miller, who surrendered a solo-shot and helped San Diego walk off with the victory.
It wasn’t a particularly pretty game for the Yankees, who were befuddled by Drew Pomeranz for most of the night. The team managed just five hits through Pomeranz’s seven strong innings, but were able to claim a lead nonetheless when Jacoby Ellsbury came around to score on a Starlin Castro groundout in the sixth after a leadoff double. To that point, Yankee starter Ivan Nova had been pitching solidly, allowing just four hits and striking out seven through five shutout innings. To start the sixth though, Nova gave up a leadoff single to Travis Janikowski, who was subsequently thrown out by Brett Gardner trying to stretch it into extra bases. Nova then walked the next batter, Wil Myers. At only 77 pitches, Nova’s night was done as Joe Girardi called on Dellin Betances.
After Myers moved into scoring position with a stolen base, Matt Kemp doubled him home to knot the game at one. Betances got the second out of the inning, but then allowed Upton to slice a single into right field. Kemp scampered around third and headed home, but an excellent throw from Rob Refsnyder in right field gunned him down in the nick of time, keeping the game at 1-1.
The tie held until the ninth, when Upton crushed Miller’s first pitch deep into the San Diego night, giving San Diego their second straight victory against the Yankees, 2-1.
The Play: Melvin Upton Jr. walks it off in the ninth (+.379 WPA)
The shot was Upton’s 13th of the season and his third walk-off home run of 2016. Upton was a thorn in New York’s side all night, going 3 for 4, picking up a double and a near-go-ahead single to supplement his game-ender.
Top Performers
Yankees: Jacoby Ellsbury (2 for 4, 1 2B, 1 R)
Padres: Melvin Upton Jr. (3 for 4, 1 HR, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI)
Notes
-Upton’s homer was the fifth home run Miller has allowed this season, but just the sixth earned run.
-After the game the Yankees placed RHP Conor Mullee on the 15-day DL with carpal-tunnel symptoms and recalled RHP Chad Green from Triple-A Scranton.
The Quote
“I just wasn’t very good. It’s not where I wanted to throw that ball, and I paid for it, unfortunately.” -Andrew Miller on his rare misstep
The Highlight: Refsnyder guns out Kemp at home to preserve the tie
On a day where the bullpen wasn’t as sharp as it needed to be, the defense did their best to pick up the slack. Refsnyder’s throw to nab Kemp at home helped keep the game tied, and was the second outfield assist for the Yankees in the sixth inning alone.
Up Next
The Yankees will look to salvage something of the three-game set in San Diego on Sunday when they send the recently recalled Green to the mound to face San Diego’s Andrew Cashner. In Green’s only other start of 2016 back on May 16, he allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits against the Diamondbacks. His spot start will allow the Yankees to keep CC Sabathia from pitching in an NL-park and being forced to hit and run the bases. Game time is 4:40 pm.
Lead photo: Jake Roth / USA Today Sports, Video from MLB.com