This past week, Governor Andrew Cuomo removed all COVID restrictions for New York State, allowing full capacity at New York City's sports venues.
As it turned out, that was just a permitted goal, not a practical reality. Only 24,037 fans came to Yankee Stadium II for the opener of a homestand, with the American League Western Division-leading Oakland Athletics as the opponent. And the team's ability to win didn't reach full capacity, either.
Jameson Taillon once again showed that he should not be starting for the Yankees. He didn't get out of the 5th inning, allowing 2 runs. In contrast, James Kaprielian, whom Brian Cashman traded to the A's for Sonny Gray in 2017, pitched a little longer, allowing 3 runs -- but ended up as the winning pitcher.
DJ LeMahieu hit a home run in the 3rd inning, tying the game at 2-2. And Rougned Odor led off the 5th with a homer, making it 3-2 and taking Taillon off the hook. But in the top of the 6th, Wandy Peralta gave the A's a 2-out rally: Single, single, home run.
After that, the Yankees got Aaron Judge to 2nd with 1 out and 3rd with 2 out in the 6th, wasted a leadoff single by Gio Urshela in the 7th, went down 1-2-3 in the 8th, and ended it with a double play in the 9th.
Athletics 5, Yankees 3. WP: Kaprelian (4-1). SV: Lou Trivino (12). LP: Peralta (3-2).
And only 24,037 came out to see it, when twice that many can fit into the new Yankee Stadium. Give the people what they don't want, and they won't come out to see it.
Maybe more people will show up today, given that it's expected to be a nice Saturday afternoon. Domingo German gets the start against Chris Bassitt. Hopefully Bassitt won't hound the Yankees much today.
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