After dropping the first two of their weekend three-game set against the San Diego Padres, the New York Yankees looked to salvage the series and avoid a sweep as we reach the halfway point of the season. To do so, they turned to 25-year old hurler Chad Green who, before this game, had only amassed five total innings in his Major League career.
As fate would have it, Green would send the Padres to poorer pastures. On the back of Green’s six-inning, eight-strikeout and three-hit performance in which the young starter allowed just one earned run and issued no walks, the Yanks did salvage the series with a 6-3 victory.
Betances, Miller and Chapman shut the door to no one’s surprise, though Anthony Swarzak did see action in the bottom of the ninth inning. Swarzak left the frame after allowing a two-run homer to Andy Dickerson.
The offense showed out for the Bombers on Sunday afternoon in America’s Finest City. Mark Teixeira especially shined as the veteran first baseman smacked two home runs to go over the 400-home run threshold. Didi Gregorius continued his surge with a homer of his own in the top of the fourth over Padres starter Andrew Cashner who was charged with the loss despite allowing only one earned run.
The Play: Gregorius cashes in on Cashner (+.146 WPA)
Gregorius’ go-ahead solo home run in the fourth provided the difference in the ballgame as he would sock his ninth dinger of the year off Padres starter Andrew Cashner. Gregorius has been swinging a very hot bat of late to say the least. Entering play on Sunday, Didi had an OPS of 1.120 with two home runs, 10 hits, five runs scored and an OBP of .400 in the last seven days per Baseball-Reference.
Suffice it to say, after Sunday’s performance, those numbers are set to climb.
The Highlight: Tex hits No. 400
Although Teixeira has been mired in his struggles this season, he made some history on Sunday afternoon in San Diego. The Yankees slugger hit his 400th and 401st career home runs to cross through into the coveted threshold. Congrats are, most certainly, in order for this achievement.
Notes
– In joining the 400 home run club, Mark Teixeira joined an even more exclusive club in the process. Tex became the fifth switch hitter in Major League Baseball history to hit 400 or more home runs. He now has his name alongside the likes of Eddie Murray, Chipper Jones, teammate Carlos Beltran and the great Mickey Mantle. Pretty good company, no?
Mark Teixeira becomes the 5th switch-hitter in MLB history to hit 400 career HR. pic.twitter.com/powAcQMtMF
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 4, 2016
– Aaron Hicks had a perfect day at the plate and in getting on base. Hicks, in four plate appearances, went 3-for-3 with a double and a walk.
– Joining Hicks and Teixeira in having a multi-hit game was Jacoby Ellsbury who went 2-for-4 with a walk on the day.
– Former Yankees infielder Yangervis Solarte had a field day on Sunday against his former club. Solarte socked a double and a home run on a 4-for-4 performance at the plate. Subsequently, Solarte completed an outstanding series against the Yankees, going 6-for-10 with the two XBH he picked up Sunday, two walks, four runs scored and just two strikeouts.
– The eight strikeouts that Chad Green amassed on Sunday, besting a performance he had earlier this season against the Arizona Diamondbacks in which he struck out five batters.
Up Next
The Yankees will continue their road trip as they head east to the central time zone. They begin a three-game set with the Chicago White Sox on Independence Day afternoon. CC Sabathia will oppose James Shields.
Photo: Jake Roth/USATSI; Videos: MLBAM