The Yankees dropped the final game of their series against the Dodgers 2-0 this afternoon. It was a scoreless game heading into the ninth inning when it all went wrong for the Yankees. Corey Seager led the inning off and reached on an E4. Seager then stole second base, putting him in scoring position with no one out. Justin Turner answered the call by ripping a huge go-ahead double. The Dodgers were able to increase their lead to 2-0 thanks to Betances’s errant throw home that allowed Turner to score.
Two separate rain delays forced Clayton Kershaw to exist the game after just 64 pitches. In his second start back from the DL, Kershaw looked like his old self, breezing through the Yankees lineup. He allowed just one hit and had a 5:0 K:BB ratio in five innings. The Dodgers bullpen, which is one of the best in baseball, did the rest, combining for four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and nine strikeouts. Meanwhile, Michael Pineda did not come back out after the first rain delay, lasting just four. Although he had not allowed a run, he had already thrown 82 pitches.
All in all, Wednesday’s loss stings. It was the final game of a 10-game homestead that saw the Yankees go a respectable 7-3. Nonetheless, they literally and figuratively threw this game away. On top of this, their offense was no where to be seen. They mustered a measly three hits the entire afternoon and looked completely overmatched when Kershaw was in there. Then again, who doesn’t?
The Play: Justin turns a tied game into a 1-0 Dodgers lead (+.214 WPA)
Justin Turner, who has been clutch for the Dodgers all season, came up huge again today. He delivered the eventual game-winning RBI double for the Dodgers in the top of the ninth.
Top Performers:
Dodgers – Justin Turner: 2 for 3, GW RBI, BB
Yankees – Starlin Castro: 2 for 4
Notes
The Yankees called up Mason Williams earlier today after announcing that Aaron Judge’s season is likely over. If that is it for Judge, he finishes 2016 with a .179 BA with 4 HR’s and 10 RBI. He will likely be the starting RF for the Yankees in 2017.
The Highlight: Bill Murray
Up next
The Yankees will begin a four-game set in Boston tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka (13-4, 3.04 ERA) will face off against Eduardo Rodriguez (2-7, 4.70 ERA). With the Blue Jays also losing today, the Yankees will remain two games out of the 2nd wild card spot. This is a make-or-break series against a tough division rival. The Yankees – as they have all season – will lean heavily on Tanaka tomorrow night.
Photo: Adam Hunger / USA Today Sports; Video: MLBAM