The Yankees are nothing if not a contradiction of themselves. There is so much wrong with the team, yet there is also so much that is right, and then there are times where even more shines through.
Nathan Eovaldi has been maddeningly inconsistent this season. He oscillates between brilliance and fiery inferno, sometimes in the course of a single game or inning. There was no oscillation on Sunday. On a day where the Yankees badly needed length from their starter due to the unavailability of Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, Eovaldi provided just that. The big right-hander tossed 6.2 innings of two-run ball, striking out six and scattering seven hits. It was a far cry from the erratic outings that Eovaldi has recently had. Showings like this are why the Yankees traded for him.
The offense, meanwhile, touched Jeff Samardzija up for five runs, including homers from Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira, and a ground rule double from Didi Gregorius. Samardzija failed to escape the sixth inning, and struck out just three Yankees. That would be all the offense that New York would need for a win.
The Play: Beltran Goes Yard (+ .105 WPA)
Beltran poked this one just over the short porch in right field. It counts!
Top Performers
Yankees: Nathan Eovaldi (6.2 IP, 7 H, 6 K, 2 BB, 2 ER)
Giants: Buster Posey (2-4, 2 RBI)
Notes
- Both of Eovaldi’s runs scored after he had been lifted from the game. Chasen Shreve was brought in to face Brandon Belt and walked him. Then Chad Green allowed a two-out single to Posey, and the runs were charged to Eovaldi. Green would carry the game to the end.
- Aroldis Chapman is still a Yankee after reports surfaced Saturday night that a trade was close.
- Former Yankee George Kontos appeared in relief of Samardzija and threw 2.1 perfect innings.
- Teixeira’s home run went out to the deepest part of the Yankee bullpen, which is quite a ways away. If he gets his strength back, it could be a massive boon to the Yankees.
- On a homestand where they had to play the Red Sox, Orioles and Giants, the Yankees went 6-4. They’re 4.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.
The Highlight: The Ol’ 4-1-5 Double Play
Just like they drew it up. According to the YES broadcast, this was the first 4-1-5 double play in recorded Yankees history. You see something new every time you go to the ballpark, don’t you?
Up Next
It’s on to Houston to take on the Astros, one of the teams ahead of New York in the Wild Card race. Michael Pineda will be opposed by Dallas Keuchel. Alex Bregman, ranked by BP as the 4th best prospect in all of baseball, will make his debut for Houston.
Photo: Brad Penner/USA Today Sports; Video: MLBAM