Friday, April 5, 2019

Yankees Follow the Script, Beat Orioles

The Yankees started the 2019 season 2-4. With half the starting lineup out with injuries, the strategy of using home runs to outscore everybody -- necessary because a notable chunk of the pitching staff is also out with injuries -- wasn't working.

But yesterday, they followed Brian Cashman's script. Sort of. James Paxton, the only new starting pitcher that Cashman acquired (when he clearly needed to acquire at least 1 more), allowed 3 runs in the 1st inning, including a home run, 2 walks, a wild pitch and a balk. We were all, "Here we go again!"

Paxton settled down after that, allowing only 1 more run on 6 hits and no walks. He struck out 9 overall. Tommy Kahnle took over in the 6th inning, and pitched through the 7th. Former Oriole Zach Britton pitched a scoreless 8th.

But the Yankees had to get those 4 runs back. They did, and then some. Gleyber Torres got the Yankees on the board with a home run leading off the 3rd. In the 6th, Gary Sanchez cranked one, Greg Bird and DJ LeMahieu followed it with singles, and Torres added another home that gave the Yanks a 5-4 lead.

I had a feeling more runs would be necessary. They came in the 9th. Tyler Wade led off with a single. Brett Gardner drew a walk. Aaron Judge struck out -- his 4th of the game, doing his Giancarlo Stanton impression. Then, to borrow an old line from Yankee Legend Reggie Jackson, Luke Voit knew we needed insurance runs, so he hit one to the Transamerica Building. (At 528 feet, the former USF&G Building and Legg Mason Building is the tallest in Maryland, and can be seen from Camden Yards.) Sanchez almost hit another one out, but it was just short.

Aroldis Chapman came in for a non-save situation, and closed the game out. Yankees 8, Orioles 4. WP: Paxton (1-1). No save. LP: Mike Wright (0-1).

Because yesterday was the Orioles' home opener, today was left open in case of a rainout. The teams will play again tomorrow night at 7:05 and Sunday afternoon at 1:05.

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