Yankees 6, Mets 5
Left Behind is a series of popular novels based on prophecies in the Bible that tells the story of the end times in which true believers are raptured leaving behind those who were not. The novels are supposed to give the readers a glimpse into a world that is void of all Christians. In a way that is what it felt like watching this game against the Mets. The stars of the Yankees 2016 season – Carlos Beltran, Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman and why not, throw in Ivan Nova – were in a sense raptured by clubs who are more aligned to make the playoffs leaving behind a roster void of excitement (or one might think).
Players come and go which is the nature of the business, but this trade deadline feels slightly different. You get the sense it is the end of an era even though there are still many vetrans left on the roster. The four players mentioned above are the first to go, but Mark Teixeira, Brian McCann, Alex Rodriguez, and CC Sabathia aren’t far behind. That being said, those players are still on the team and they played a game tonight against the cross town rival New York Mets; the first of a four game subway series.
The game started off with a bang, as Brett Gardner tried to channel his inner Alcides Escobar and stretch a triple into an inside the park homerun. While his bid came up short the Yankees came up big late and won the game in extra innings 6-5. Sabathia started the game and once again had a sup-par outing going 5 2/3 inning allowing 5 earned runs on 8 hits. Two of those hits were home runs and the stinger came in the bottom of the sixth when Matt Reynolds hit three run homer giving the Mets a two run lead.
The Yankee bats picked up Sabathia and while they were out hit by the Mets 11 to 7 their hits were timely. Gardner and Ellsbury led the way each collecting 2 hits, 1 run and 1 RBI. McCann, Teixeira and Gregorius each had one hit with Gregorius’ game tying two out hit in the eighth being perhaps the most clutch.
Another clutch hit by Teixeira in the tenth and a misplayed Gamel bunt set up Castro’s go ahead RBI sac fly which would give the Yankees the lead and ultimately the win. Betances picked up his first save of the season – albeit it dramatic fashion – as he worked out of a jam that had the Mets with runners at second and third with one out in the bottom of the tenth.
Many Yankee fans will miss the players who now have new homes on contending teams. Who knows one day we might see them again. Until then we can enjoy the players left behind and long for the prospects who will one day fill their shoes.
The Play: Gregorius’ game tying single (+.302 WPA)
Top Performers
Yankees: Brett Gardner (2 for 4, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 R, 1 RBI)
Mets: Matt Reynolds (2 for 4, 1 HR, 1 R, 3 RBI)
Notes
– The Yankees played their first game minus slugger Carlos Beltran who was traded to the Rangers on Monday for three prospects headlined by flamethrower Dillon Tate. Tate was the fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft.
– Ivan Nova was traded to the Pirates on Monday in return for two players to be named later.
– Brett Gardner collected career hit number 900 and 901 in the ballgame against the Mets. An arbitrary number, but I like round number milestones.
– Tyler Clippard made his 2016 Yankee debut after being acquired at the deadline yesterday.
The Quote
“The good thing is I got to watch all of those guys. I was blessed for that. I’ll try to take whatever I can from them.” – Dellin Betances after being asked how he feels stepping into the closer role after Chapman and Miller’s departure.
The Highlight: Betances gets his first save
Up Next
Game two of the four game subway series between the Yankees and Mets will begin on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. ET at Citi Field. The probable pitcher for the Mets, Jacob deGrom, is having another deGrominator like season. However, his ERA is outperforming his FIP by .53 and his DRA is nearly a point higher than it has been the last two seasons. deGrom has started to really hit his stride as of late which is bad news for the Yankees.
The good news is the Yankees will roll out Masahiro Tanaka for the 22nd time this season. Tanaka was touched up in his last outing against the Houston Astros and overall in his last six outings has been less than consistent. In his last six starts he has allowed 6 runs, 0 runs, 7 runs, 1 run, 0 runs, and 4 runs respectively. So far this season it seems Tanaka has the ability to rebound after a bad outing which he must do if he wants to see success against the 13th rank offense in the league with regards to runs scored per game. Interestingly enough the Yankees offense is ranked 12th on that list.
Photo: Brad Penner / USA Today Sports