After splitting a four-game set against the Astros in Houston, the Yankees flew into Anaheim and Southern California to face the Angels. The Yankees managed only one run each in the first two games, and therefore, lost 4-1 and 2-1, respectively, in their first two games. However, the Yankees would avoid the sweep in a 3-1 win, headed by two home runs and Nathan Eovaldi's decent pitching.
Credit: Richard Mackson - USA Today Sports
Game 1 (6/29)
NYY 1 @ LAA 4
The Yankees started Game 1 with a Brett Gardner double. The man has been on fire, but not the next three hitters. Young failed to move him over and Rodriguez and Teixeira couldn't get a hit with a RISP. The Angels struck first in the bottom of the first on a Albert Pujols double that scored Giavotella all the way from first with two outs. However, New York tied it in the top of the third on a A-Rod single with two men on and two out. Gregorius raced in from second to tie the game. The Angels would quickly reclaim the lead, however, in the bottom of the 3rd on a Mike Trout homer to center and would extend the lead to 3-1 on a Calhoun double. With Trevor Gott pitching in the 7th, New York had men on 1st and 3rd with 2 outs and A-Rod at the plate. On a 2-0 count, Rodriguez grounded out and the threat was over. CJ Cron added an insurance run with a homer in the bottom half of the inning. The Yankees would not do anything against Angels closer Huston Street, and Anaheim took Game 1.
Ivan Nova pitched today in his second start in 14 months after getting Tommy John surgery. Anaheim sent out Andrew Heaney, who pitched extremely well in this game. Teixeira homered to give New York the lead in the 2nd, and both sides pitched well after that. However, Nova gave up back to back home runs by Pujols and Erick Aybar. Adam Warren would make is first relief appearance of the year and not allow a run the rest of the way. However, Heaney, Jose Smith, and Street limited New York to only 1 run and Angels guaranteed themselves with a series win by winning Game 2.
Game 3 (7/1):
The Yankees sent out Nathan Eovaldi in an attempt to avoid the sweep in Game 3. Anaheim sent out Matt Shoemaker, who has pitched well this year. Chase Headley singled to right in the 3rd, and Didi Gregorius scored, and New York led 1-0. The Yankees went into the 8th with a 3-0 lead after Garrett Jones homered and Gregorius hit an RBI single. Dellin Betances needed to come in for 4 outs once again, but he closed down the Angels. Besides a Trout homer off Justin Wilson, New York pitched well and did what it had to do to win this game. Yankees avoid the sweep and win Game 3, 3-1. The Yankees end their road trip (Houston & Anaheim) with a 3-4 record.
MY TAKES
Brett Gardner continued his hot hitting, even though he may have cooled down a bit. He's still got a 9-game hitting streak, going .474 in that stretch. Gardner must be an all-star.
Chasen Shreve is becoming the best man in the pen after Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller. In his last 14 appearances, he has 4-0 with 16 strikeouts and has held hitters to a .087 average. He hasn't allowed a single earned run and neither a home run as well. With Justin Wilson giving off a HR in the 8th, look for Shreve to get into more bases-loaded and high leverage situations like he is being thrown into by Joe Girardi right now.
Taylor Dugas was called up today from Double A-Trenton after Carlos Beltran was unavailable today. Beltran may still go on the DL but it is pending an evaluation when the Yankees return to the Bronx. Esmil Rogers was sent down as a result.
Who are the NYY all stars? The Bronx Bomber bloggers have debated - and it seems like a majority of us want at least Mark Teixeira on the team. Many of us would like to see Dellin Betances as well since he has performed extremely well this year in both the 8th and in the 9th innings.
Jacoby Ellsbury played his second game in High-A Tampa on a rehab assignment. He was rumored to be reactivated in New York on Friday, but I'm not sure that it will happen now. He remains in Tampa for the time being. Dugas's time in the majors is limited, however.
The Yankees (42-37) have an off-day on Thursday, July 2nd (thank goodness) and return to the Bronx. They will host the Rays in a 3-game set, starting on Friday, July 3rd at 7:05 PM EDT. Masahiro Tanaka will need to perform better on Friday. He faces Chris Archer. The Rays avoided a no-hitter by one out against Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco. 4 of the 5 teams (except Boston) are all within one game of the AL East lead. New York needs to pull away and they must start here, playing against a division rival.
Article by: Bryan Peng
Twitter: @bpeng1111
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