Saturday’s 7-6 Yankees win over the Indians may not end up meaning much in what is likely a lost season for the club, but it was a fairly well played game that featured plenty of high (and low points). The often-streaky offense shone through, scoring seven runs and notching big hits in important situations to give the Yankees a win.
New York saw three of its runs come from the usual suspects, Carlos Beltran and Didi Gregorius, who continued on their huge first halves with an RBI single and two-run homer, respectively. Beltran had a big day for the Yankees, going 3-6 to solidify his place as the Yankees best hitter of 2016. Gregorius’ home run was his fourth in July, giving him 11 on the year. The power uptick is unprecedented, as he’s now surpassed last season’s home run total by two in almost half as many games.
Brett Gardner has been showing some signs of life at the plate recently, and continued that trend on Saturday. The left fielder hit a double and a triple, the latter clearing the bases to score three runs. The hit gave the Yankees a 6-5 lead, though the Indians tied it up an inning later. Luckily, Brian McCann’s double in the top of the 11th frame would give the Yankees a lead they didn’t surrender.
Despite a big day for the bats, the Yankees nearly lost because of poor pitching. CC Sabathia had a fourth straight rough start, giving up five runs over 5 2/3 innings. The veteran has now allowed 21 runs over his past 23 innings. Hopefully the All Star Break will help Sabathia, but the Yankees can’t help but worry that he’s turned back into a pumpkin.
Dellin Betances gave up the Indians sixth run of the afternoon in the seventh inning, when Jose Ramirez singled to score Jason Kipnis. He would work out of the inning to limit the damage, striking out a pair over 1 1/3 frames.
The Play: Brett Gardner clears the bases (+.406 WPA)
The biggest hit of the game came off the bat of Brett Gardner, who took the Yankees from a two run deficit to a one run lead with a bases clearing triple. Maybe it wasn’t a grand slam, but Gardner’s triple came at a perfect time and changed the momentum of the game.
Top Performers
Yankees: Brett Gardner (2-5, 2B, 3B, R, 3 RBI, BB, K)
Twins: Fransisco Lindor (3-6, 2B, 2 R, E)
The Highlight: Brian McCann gives the Yankees a lead
Although there were a few potential plays that would fit as the highlight of the game, Brian McCann’s go-ahead double to score Ronald Torreyes certainly was one of the most important. The run would be all the Yankees would need, with Aroldis Chapman escaping a leadoff walk in the bottom of the 11th inning to seal a New York win. The first half of 2016 hasn’t been kind to McCann thus far, but he’s hitting .348/.444/.652 in July and will hope to continue on the hot streak after the break.
Up Next
The Yankees have just one more game before the All Star Break, which stretches until Friday, July 15th. Masahiro Tanaka (3.12 ERA) will face right hander Carlos Carrasco (2.47 ERA) in what should be a low scoring affair to end the first half of the season.
Photo: David Richard/USA Today Sports