Yankees 2, Orioles 1
If this game seemed boring, you can thank Brian Cashman and Yankees assistant GM (aka head of quantitative analysis) Mike Fishman — the architects of the Yankee bullpen — for that. They could not have drawn it up any more perfect than how the game played out tonight.
Sure, it would have been nice to see the Yankee hitters produce a few more runs, but the pitching strategy was textbook. Nova went six innings allowing only one run on four hits which paved the way for No-Runs DMC. The run given up by Nova was a home run off the bat of Jonathan Schoop in the third inning which, at the time, tied the game at one. That game-tying homer matched the homer Alex Rodriguez hit an inning earlier.
The game was not tied for long. Brian McCann delivered with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third which scored Brett Gardner and gave the Yankees a 2-1 lead, which they’d hold.
This marks the second game in a row that we saw the big three do their thing. It’s thrilling to watch, but the days of seeing these relievers closing out games – at least together on the same team – might be numbered. If it was one of the last few times we see Betances, Miller and Chapman in sequence, it was fun while it lasted. If Miller or Chapman some how make it through the trade deadline Yankee fans will be more excited than when Big Papi announced his retirement.
Each year teams are marked by certain abilities (such as hitting home runs) or certain players (like Roger Clemens). This year, the Yankees’ mark will certainly be its bullpen. Unfortunately for Yankee fans this might turn out to be a sad story as each time Mr. Miller or Mr. Chapman turn in stellar performances, the more front office eyes start watching. An awesome bullpen can mask many shortcomings, but in this case the Yankees shortcomings are just too much for even the best relief pitchers in the game to cover up which is why the bullpen could potentially be blown up. Today, however, it was enough and the Yankees won and that makes two in a row.
The Play: A-Rod’s 696th Home run (+.107 WPA)
Top Performers
Yankees: Alex Rodriguez (1 for 3, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI)
Orioles: Johnathan Schoop (1 for 4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI)
Notes
– Aroldis Chapman touched 105 mph on two pitches in the ninth inning….enough said.
– Ivan Nova lasted six innings, marking the 11th start out of 13 this season he has done this.
– Alex Rodriguez hit his 696th career homerun. Four more and he will join the 700 club of which there are only three current members. Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds.
– That one simple run scored by the Yankees was unfortunate for Kevin Gausman who pitched a solid game, but did not get the run support needed to pick up a victory. He went 6 2/3 innings, allowed 6 hits and 2 runs.
The Quote
“Its been so long since I hit a home run I almost forgot about that” – Alex Rodriguez when asked how it felt to hit career home run No. 696.
The Highlight: Miller gets out of a jam
Up Next
Game two of the four game series between the Yankees and Orioles will begin on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. The probable pitcher for the Orioles is Vance Worley who is making a rare start this season. Worley started the year in the Orioles rotation, but was quickly sent to relief duties after just two starts. In fact, he has not started a game since April 15th. As a reliever Worley has been average to slightly below average. Look for a heavy dose of fastballs, sliders, and groundballs (his groundball percentage this season sits at 47 percent).
Nathan Eovaldi will start against the Orioles in game two. We last saw Eovaldi in the bullpen where he made three relief appearances allowing no runs on three hits in a total of 7 2/3 inning of work. Hopefully, this brief stint in the pen provided a boost of confidence for Eovalid who had been struggling as a starter in his last few outings. It would seem Girardi and company is giving Eovaldi another shot at sealing a spot in the rotation. If he fails it might be back to bullpen.
Photo: Adam Hunger/USA Today Sports; Video: MLBAM