Yanks, Phils Split Twinbill Honors

One thing that living within close range of the New York media has taught me is how to speak -- and, much more, to write -- tabloidese. Rather than say, "Yesterday, the New York Yankees lost the first game of a doubleheader to the Philadelphia Phillies, but won the second game," I can say, "Yanks, Phils split twinbill honors."

This setup was forced by the previous day's tropical storm-induced rainout. Despite both games being played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, the 1st game was, officially, the game that was supposed to be played the night before at Yankee Stadium II. Therefore, the Yankees were designated the home team, wore their home Pinstriped uniforms, and batted in the bottom halves of the innings, while the Phils wore their road grays in their own house.

The Phils didn't seem to mind. Despite being staked to a 3-0 lead, including a home run by Brett Gardner, former Phillie J.A. Happ was hapless, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 6 walks in just 3 innings. Cliche Alert: Walks can kill you.

But it was only 4-3 Philly when he left. The real disaster was Nick Nelson, who allowed 6 runs in the top of the 6th. A 4-run 7th, including yet another home run from the smoking hot Aaron Judge, wasn't enough.

Phillies 11, Yankees 7. The Yankees outhit the Phillies 12-11, but it's runs that count. WP: Former Met Zack Wheeler (2-0). SV: Hector Neris (1). LP: Happ (0-1).

After a 35-minute turnaround -- which was about normal in the days when Major League Baseball scheduled true doubleheaders, on holidays and often on Sundays -- the 2nd game got underway.

It is true that Yankee Stadium II is a good hitter's park, and fans of other teams mock the Yankees for playing in one. But CBP is also a good hitter's park, and the fact is that the Yankees can smack the ball around any yard.

Luke Voit "used the Force" to hit one out in the top of the 2nd inning, but the Philies tied it 1-1 in the bottom half. But in the 7th, a Mike Tauchman double and a Gio Urshela single gave the Yankees the runs they needed.

The Yankees used 5 pitchers, as Jonathan Loaisiga has become this season's "Chad Green," starting but only going into the 3rd inning, even though he used to be a starter. Adam Ottavino threw only 3 pitches, to 1 batter, but because he was the last pitcher the Yankees had used when they took a lead they never relinquished, he was officially the winning pitcher.

Yankees 3, Phillies 1. WP: Ottavino (2-0). SV: Zack Britton (5). LP: Tommy Hunter (0-1).

So the doubleheader was split, and the Yankees, who started off 8-1, are now 9-2.

Speaking of relief pitchers named Tommy, Tommy Kahnle underwent Tommy John surgery. He might be back for the 2021 run-in, but Opening Day 2022 sounds more likely -- if, that is, it's with the Yankees. We saw how Brian Cashman dumped Nathan Eovaldi -- and that came back to bite the Yankees.

The Yanks and Phils play in Philly again tonight, with a first pitch scheduled for 6:05.